Mastic asphalt composition for production of surfacings

ABSTRACT

A composition including at least: a binder base chosen from: a bitumen base, a pitch base, a clear binder, or a mixture of one or more of these binder bases, an acid compound of general formula (I): R—(COOH) z  (I). an amide compound of general formula (II): R′—(NH) n CONH—(X) m —(NHCO) p (NH) n —R″ (II) the compounds (I) and (II) being present in a weight ratio ranging from 10:1 to 1:16, for preparing a mastic asphalt composition. Mastic asphalt compositions and surfacings are thus obtained.

The present invention relates to the use of a binder composition, whichis solid at ambient temperature, in particular at high ambienttemperature, for the preparation of mastic asphalt. It relates to themastic asphalt compositions prepared from this binder composition andhaving improved properties. It relates to a process for manufacturingmastic asphalt.

STATE OF THE PRIOR ART

A mastic asphalt is conventionally a dense material comprising a binder,generally of bituminous type, and mineral fillers consisting of fines,of sand and of stone chippings. The mineral filler composition of themastic asphalt is usually chosen so as to minimize voids. In particular,mastic asphalts differ from the other bituminous mixes by virtue oftheir very high content of bituminous binder and of fines or fillers,that is to say of mineral fillers having a diameter of less than orequal to 0.063 mm.

Mastic asphalt is generally manufactured by mixing the various mineralfillers into the binder brought to the liquid state by raising thetemperature, and by continuous mixing of the mixture in order to obtaina substantially homogeneous composition. The mixture is then hot-pouredand solidifies upon cooling. The mastic asphalt surfacing thus obtainedcan be used as it is and without additional compacting.

Mastic asphalts are normally used in the construction of roads, inparticular the surfacing of carriageways, of ground surfaces of carparks; of pedestrian walkways, such as sidewalks or terraces; of urbandevelopments, such as skateboard runs; in the production of groundsurfaces of sports equipment or of industrial sites; in thewaterproofing of buildings or of civil engineering works; for specialtechnical applications such as mastics for rockfill, coldroom floors,interior or exterior anti-acid asphalts.

The binder may be a bituminous binder, a clear binder, or a pitch-basedbinder, depending on the intended final application. The bituminousbinder is generally in the form of a black material that is highlyviscous, or even solid, at ambient temperature and which fluidifies onheating. The clear binder is in the form of a clear material which maybe colored, for example by the addition of pigment, and which fluidifieson heating.

The mechanical properties of the mastic asphalt surfacing depend on thepercentages and the nature of the various components: mineral fillersand binder. The three fundamental properties of mastic asphalt that itis desired to control are: the ability to be hot-poured, the waterproofnature and the wear resistance, in particular the resistance toindentation. Additionally, the slippery nature of the surfacing, aproperty that it is desired to avoid, sometimes also has to beevaluated.

Mastic asphalts are mainly produced by mixing a hydrocarbon-basedbinder, such as in particular a bituminous composition, or a clearbinder or a pitch-based binder, and mineral solid fillers. The prior artasphalts are generally poured at high temperature, i.e. at a temperatureof between 200° C. and 270° C. approximately, more often between 210° C.and 250° C. The use of such temperatures for the preparation of masticasphalts is not without drawbacks, in particular considerable release offumes, linked to the decomposition of the binder, and a high energy costfor bringing all of the components to the desired temperature.

Several prior documents describe attempts to formulate a mastic asphaltthat can be prepared at lower temperatures, for instance EP 2 276 811.This document describes a mastic asphalt prepared from a bituminous baseand additives for regulating physicochemical properties, comprising awax of animal origin and one or more ethylenediamine amides. Document FR2 721 936 teaches adding a hydrocarbon wax to the binder, in aproportion that can reach 15% by weight of the binder, with the aim oflowering the temperature at which the asphalts are used. FR 2 855 523proposes adding, in addition to a hydrocarbon wax, a second additive,consisting of a fatty acid ester wax having a melting point of less than85° C.

The vast majority of the bitumen used for the manufacture of masticasphalt is generally in the form of a black material that is highlyviscous, or even solid, at ambient temperature, and which fluidifies onheating.

In general, the various types of binders, bituminous binders, clearbinders, or pitch-based binders, are stored and transported hot, inbulk, in tanker trucks or by boats at high temperatures of the order of120° C. to 160° C. However, the storage and transportation of thesebinders under hot conditions has some disadvantages. Firstly, thetransportation of these binders under hot conditions in the liquid formis considered to be dangerous and it is highly restricted from aregulatory viewpoint. This mode of transportation does not present anyparticular difficulties when the transportation equipment andinfrastructures are in good condition. When such is not the case, it maybecome problematic: if the tanker truck is not sufficiently thermallyinsulated, the viscosity of the binder may increase during anexcessively long journey. The delivery distances of the binder aretherefore limited. Secondly, maintaining the binder at high temperaturesin tanks or in tanker trucks consumes energy. In addition, keeping thebinder at high temperatures for a lengthy period can affect theproperties of the binder and thus change the final performance qualitiesof the bituminous mix, in particular of the mastic asphalt.

To overcome the problems of transportation and storage of binders underhot conditions, packaging for transporting and storing binders, atambient temperature has been developed. This mode of transportation ofbinders in packaging at ambient temperature represents only a minimalfraction of the amounts transported worldwide, but it corresponds tovery real needs for geographic regions which are difficult and expensiveto access by conventional transportation means.

By way of example of packaging which makes possible the transportationunder cold conditions currently used, mention may be made of thepackaging of binders at ambient temperature in metal drums. This meansis increasingly questionable from an environmental perspective since thebinder stored in the drums must be reheated before it is used as roadbinder. However, this operation is difficult to perform for this type ofpackaging, and the drums constitute waste after use. Furthermore, thestorage of the binder at ambient temperature in drums leads to lossesbecause the binders are very viscous and part of the product remains onthe walls of the drum during the transfer into the tanks of thebituminous mix production units. With regard to the handling and thetransportation of bituminous products or of clear binders in thesedrums, they can prove to be difficult and dangerous if specializedequipment for handling the drums is not available to the haulagecontractors or at the site where the bitumen or the clear binder isused.

Other examples of packaging at ambient temperature that may be mentionedinclude bitumens in the form of pellets transported and/or stored inbags, which are often used in places where the ambient temperature ishigh. These pellets have the advantage of being easy to handle. U.S.Pat. No. 3,026,568 describes bitumen pellets covered with a dustymaterial, such as limestone powder. Nevertheless, this type of bitumenas pellets does not prevent the bitumen from creeping, in particular athigh ambient temperature.

Patent application WO 2009/153324 describes bitumen pellets coated witha polymeric anticaking compound, in particular polyethylene. Thedisadvantage of this coating is that it modifies the properties of thebitumen during its road application.

The application WO 2016/016318 describes bitumen pellets comprising achemical additive which can be a mono- or polyacid, a hydrazide or adiamide. These bitumen pellets allow the transportation and/or storageand/or handling of the bitumen at ambient temperature without thebitumen undergoing creep, and also the reduction in their adhesion andagglomeration together.

Document WO2015/158889 describes the use, as a bonding binder, of abituminous composition comprising at least one acid additive of formula(I), R¹—(COOH)_(z), wherein R¹ is a linear or branched, saturated orunsaturated, hydrocarbon-based chain comprising from 4 to 68 carbonatoms, and z is an integer varying from 1 to 4. Such a composition isstored in the form of bitumen blocks.

Document WO2008/107551 describes a bituminous composition comprising amajor portion of at least one bitumen and a minor portion of at leastone organogelator chemical additive which may be a polyacid, ahydrazide, or a diamide. Such a composition has thermoreversibleviscosity and hardness properties.

FR 3 024 454 discloses a process for transporting and/or storing roadbitumen under cold conditions in the form of blocks. The bitumen blockcomprises at least one chemical additive chosen from: a compound ofacid, in particular diacid, type and a compound of diamide type.

CN 101 585 118 describes an environmentally friendly brazing flux forpreparing a low-temperature, lead-free solder paste. The brazing fluxcomprises in particular resin, an activating agent and a rheologicalagent.

There remains, however, the need for binder compositions such asbitumens, clear binders or pitch-based binders, having improvedmechanical strength properties, especially improved hardness properties,without the viscosity under hot conditions of these compositionsbecoming too high, which makes it possible to lower the coating andapplication temperature of the mastic asphalts. Furthermore, it has beensought to develop binder compositions which can be formulated in theform of a block or pellet with a reduced creep compared with thecompositions of the prior art, so that a coating with a polymer-based orgel-based shell is not necessary.

The applicant has discovered, surprisingly, a new binder compositionwhich makes it possible to prepare mastic asphalts, the mechanicalproperties of which are improved and the application temperature rangeof which is lowered, i.e. between 160 and 200° C., that is to saysignificantly lower than the conventional temperature range for applyingmastic asphalts, of between 200 and 230° C.

This new binder composition makes it possible to formulate masticasphalts which have improved mechanical resistance properties, inparticular improved indentation-resistance properties, and also areduced coating and application temperature.

The applicant has thus discovered a new binder composition which allowsuse for the manufacture of mastic asphalts, which allows a greaterhandleability of mastic asphalts when they are applied as carriagewaysurfacings.

In addition, the binder composition developed by the applicant can be individed form, especially in the form of binder pellets or binder blocks,while at the same time avoiding and reducing the adhesion andagglomeration of pellets or blocks during transportation and/or storageand/or handling of the binder, at high ambient temperature, over longperiods. Moreover, the properties of the binder are preserved over time.

More precisely, the applicant demonstrated that this novel bindercomposition makes it possible to withstand creep under extremetransportation and/or storage and/or handling conditions, undercompression conditions, in particular due to storage, over very longperiods.

This new composition makes it possible to form binder pellets and binderblocks which do not require coating with a gel or a shell or ananticaking agent so that they do not adhere or creep. However, thesecoating possibilities are not excluded from the scope of the invention.

Moreover, during the manufacture of bituminous mixes, since theaggregates are heated and mixed with the solid binder composition, theycause the latter to melt and steps of heating the binder to a hightemperature and maintaining it at a high temperature are avoided, saidsteps being both expensive and polluting.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the use of a composition comprising at least:

-   -   A binder base chosen from:        -   a bitumen base,        -   a pitch base,        -   a clear binder, or        -   a mixture of one or more of these binder bases,    -   An acid compound of general formula (I):        R—(COOH)_(z)  (I)

wherein R represents a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturatedchain comprising from 4 to 68 carbon atoms and z is an integer rangingfrom 2 to 4,

-   -   An amide compound of general formula (II):        R′—(NH)_(n)CONH—(X)_(m)(NHCO)_(p)(NH)_(n)—R″  (II)

wherein:

-   -   the R′ and R″ groups, which may be identical or different,        represent a saturated or unsaturated and linear, branched or        cyclic hydrocarbon-based chain comprising from 1 to 22 carbon        atoms which optionally comprises heteroatoms, such as N, O or S,        C₅-C₂₄ hydrocarbon-based rings and/or C₄-C₂₄ hydrocarbon-based        heterocycles comprising one or more heteroatoms, such as N, O or        S, and R″ may be H;    -   the X group represents a saturated or unsaturated and linear,        cyclic or branched hydrocarbon-based chain comprising from 1 to        22 carbon atoms which is optionally substituted and which        optionally comprises heteroatoms, such as N, O or S, C₅-C₂₄        hydrocarbon-based rings and/or C₄-C₂₄ hydrocarbon-based        heterocycles comprising one or more heteroatoms, such as N, O or        S;    -   n and m and p are integers having a value of 0 or 1,        independently of one another, and

the compounds (I) and (II) are present in a weight ratio ranging from10:1 to 1:16,

in order to prepare a mastic asphalt composition.

Another subject of the invention is a mastic asphalt compositioncomprising:

-   -   (i) 5% to 20% of a composition comprising at least:    -   A binder base chosen from:        -   a bitumen base,        -   a pitch base,        -   a clear binder, or        -   a mixture of one or more of these binder bases,    -   An acid compound of general formula (I):        R—(COOH)_(z)  (I)

wherein R represents a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturatedchain comprising from 4 to 68 carbon atoms and z is an integer rangingfrom 2 to 4,

-   -   An amide compound of general formula (II):        R′—(NH)_(n)CONH—(X)_(m)—(NHCO)_(p)(NH)_(n)—R″  (II)

wherein:

-   -   the R′ and R″ groups, which may be identical or different,        represent a saturated or unsaturated and linear, branched or        cyclic hydrocarbon-based chain comprising from 1 to 22 carbon        atoms which optionally comprises heteroatoms, such as N, O or S,        C₅-C₂₄ hydrocarbon-based rings and/or C₄-C₂₄ hydrocarbon-based        heterocycles comprising one or more heteroatoms, such as N, O or        S, and R″ may be H;    -   the X group represents a saturated or unsaturated and linear,        cyclic or branched hydrocarbon-based chain comprising from 1 to        22 carbon atoms which is optionally substituted and which        optionally comprises heteroatoms, such as N, O or S, C₅-C₂₄        hydrocarbon-based rings and/or C₄-C₂₄ hydrocarbon-based        heterocycles comprising one or more heteroatoms, such as N, O or        S;    -   n and m and p are integers having a value of 0 or 1,        independently of one another, and    -   the compounds (I) and (II) are present in a weight ratio ranging        from 10:1 to 1:16, and    -   (ii) 15% to 40% of fines,    -   (iii) from 15% to 45% of sand,    -   (iv) from 10% to 45% of stone chippings,    -   the percentages being expressed by weight relative to the total        weight of the composition.

According to one preferred embodiment, the compounds (I) and (II) arepresent in a weight ratio ranging from 5:1 to 1:9.

According to one preferred embodiment, the additive (I) is a diacid ofgeneral formula HOOC—C_(w)H_(2w)—COOH, wherein w is an integer varyingfrom 4 to 22.

According to one preferred embodiment, the mastic asphalt compositioncomprises from 0.1% to 5% by weight of the additive (I) relative to thetotal weight of the binder composition.

According to a first preferred variant, the additive (II) is chosen fromthose of formula (IIA):R′—CONH—(X)_(m)—NHCO—R″  (IIA)

wherein:

-   -   the R′ and R″ groups, which may be identical or different,        represent a saturated or unsaturated and linear, branched or        cyclic hydrocarbon-based chain comprising from 1 to 22 carbon        atoms which optionally comprises heteroatoms, such as N, O or S,        C₅-C₂₄ hydrocarbon-based rings and/or C₄-C₂₄ hydrocarbon-based        heterocycles comprising one or more heteroatoms, such as N, O or        S;    -   the X group represents a saturated or unsaturated and linear,        cyclic or branched hydrocarbon-based chain comprising from 1 to        22 carbon atoms which is optionally substituted and which        optionally comprises heteroatoms, such as N, O or S, C₅-C₂₄        hydrocarbon-based rings and/or C₄-C₂₄ hydrocarbon-based        heterocycles comprising one or more heteroatoms, such as N, O or        S;    -   m is an integer having a value of 0 or 1.

According to another preferred variant, the additive (II) is chosen fromthose of formula (IIB):R′—CONH—R″  (IIB)

wherein:

-   -   the R′ and R″ groups, which may be identical or different,        represent a saturated or unsaturated and linear, branched or        cyclic hydrocarbon-based chain comprising from 1 to 22 carbon        atoms which optionally comprises heteroatoms, such as N, O or S,        C₅-C₂₄ hydrocarbon-based rings and/or C₄-C₂₄ hydrocarbon-based        heterocycles comprising one or more heteroatoms, such as N, O or        S.

According to one preferred embodiment, the compound of general formula(II) is chosen from:

-   -   hydrazide derivatives such as: C₅H₁₁—CONH—NHCO—C₅H₁₁,        C₉H₁₉—CONH—NHCO—C₉H₁₉, C₁₁H₂₃—CONH—NHCO—C₁₁H₂₃,        C₁₇H₃₅—CONH—NHCO—C₁₇H₃₅, or C₂₁H₄₃—CONH—NHCO—C₂₁H₄₃;    -   diamides such as N,N′-ethylenedi(laurylamide) of formula        C₁₁H₂₃—CONH—CH₂—CH₂—NHCO—C₁₁H₃₁, N,N′-ethylenedi(myristylamide)        of formula C₁₃H₂₇—CONH—CH₂—CH₂—NHCO—C₁₃H₂₇,        N,N′-ethylenedi(palmitamide) of formula        C₁₅H₃₁—CONH—CH₂—CH₂—NHCO—C₁₅H₃₁, N,N′-ethylenedi(stearamide) of        formula C₁₇H₃₅—CONH—CH₂—CH₂—NHCO—C₁₇H₃₅;    -   monoamides such as laurylamide of formula C₁₁H₂₃—CONH₂,        myristylamide of formula C₁₃H₂₇—CONH₂, palmitamide of formula        C₁₅H₃₁—CONH₂, stearamide of formula C₁₇H₃₅—CONH₂.

The invention relates to a process for manufacturing mastic asphalts asdescribed above and in detail below, which comprises at least the stepsof:

-   -   heating the aggregates to a temperature ranging from 100° C. to        180° C., preferably from 120° C. to 160° C.,    -   mixing the aggregates with the binder composition,    -   kneading the mixture,    -   obtaining a mastic asphalt composition.

According to one preferred embodiment of the process, the bindercomposition is used in a form that is solid under cold conditions anddivided.

According to one preferred embodiment, the process does not comprise astep of heating the binder composition before it is mixed with theaggregates.

The invention also relates to a surfacing of a surface, this surfacingbeing obtained by means of a process comprising the preparation of amastic asphalt composition as described above and in detail below, andthe application thereof and spreading thereof on said surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a graphic representation of irreversible creep compliancedivided by the stress of bituminous binder compositions C9, C10, C11 andC12.

FIG. 2 is a graphic representation of the complex modulus G* ofcompositions C9, C10, C11 and C12.

FIG. 3 is a graphic representation of the complex modulus G* ofcompositions C9, C10, C11 and C12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention is based on the synergistic combination of two additives,an acid compound and an amide-type compound. Such compounds were knownfrom the prior art for the formulation of bitumen compositions that aresolid under cold conditions and in divided form. However, the selectionof two of these additives in particular proportions makes it possible toobserve a synergy of action between these additives regarding themechanical strength properties of these binder compositions, inparticular regarding their indentation resistance, without the viscosityunder hot conditions being degraded compared with the compositions ofthe prior art.

The term “high ambient temperature” is intended to mean the temperatureresulting from the climatic conditions under which the bindercomposition is transported and/or stored and/or handled. More precisely,the high ambient temperature is equivalent to the temperature reachedduring the transportation and/or storage of the binder composition, thistemperature being less than 100° C. Advantageously, the high ambienttemperature is from 20° C. to 90° C., preferably from 20° C. to 80° C.,more preferentially from 40° C. to 80° C. and even more preferentiallyfrom 40° C. to 60° C., it being understood that high ambient temperatureimplies that no heat is supplied other than that resulting from theclimatic conditions.

The term “extreme conditions” refers to the conditions for transportingand/or storing and/or handling the binder composition with atransportation and/or storage and/or handling temperature of the bindercomposition ranging up to 100° C., advantageously from 20° C. to 90° C.,preferably from 20° C. to 80° C., more preferentially from 40° C. to 80°C. and even more preferentially from 40° C. to 60° C.

The invention relates to binder compositions that may be solid when theyare subjected to high ambient temperatures, in particular a temperatureranging up to 100° C., advantageously from 20° C. to 90° C., preferablyfrom 20° C. to 80° C., more preferentially from 40° C. to 80° C. andeven more preferentially from 40° C. to 60° C.

The invention relates to binder compositions that may be solid when theyare subjected to high ambient temperatures, in particular a temperatureranging up to 100° C., advantageously from 20° C. to 90° C., preferablyfrom 20° C. to 80° C., more preferentially from 40° C. to 80° C. andeven more preferentially from 40° C. to 60° C.

The term “binder that is solid at high ambient temperature” is intendedto mean a binder which has a solid appearance at high ambienttemperature under transportation and/or storage and/or handlingconditions. More precisely, the term “binder that is solid at highambient temperature” is intended to mean a binder which retains itssolid appearance throughout the transportation and/or storage and/orhandling at high ambient temperature, i.e. a binder which does not creepat a temperature ranging up to 100° C., advantageously from 20° C. to90° C., preferably from 20° C. to 80° C., more preferentially from 40°C. to 80° C. and even more preferentially from 40° C. to 60° C., underits own weight and, furthermore, which does not creep when it issubjected to a temperature ranging up to 100° C., advantageously from20° C. to 90° C., preferably from 20° C. to 80° C., more preferentiallyfrom 40° C. to 80° C. and even more preferentially from 40° C. to 60°C., and to pressure forces derived from the transportation and/orstorage and/or handling conditions.

A creep test for evaluating this property is set out in the experimentalsection.

For the purposes of the present invention, the term “binder” is intendedto mean a composition comprising at least one binder base chosen from abitumen base, a pitch base, a clear binder or mixtures thereof, saidcomposition being usable in a mixture with aggregates, as a replacementfor the binders conventionally used, for the preparation of masticasphalts.

The term “penetrability” is intended here to mean the “needlepenetrability” measurement, which is carried out by means of an NF EN1426 standardized test at 25° C. (P25). This penetrabilitycharacteristic is expressed in tenths of a millimeter (dmm or 1/10 mm).The needle penetrability, measured at 25° C., according to the NF EN1426 standardized test, represents the measurement of the penetrationinto a bitumen sample or into a sample of another type of binder, aftera time of 5 seconds, of a needle, the weight of which with its supportis 100 g. The standard NF EN 1426 replaces the endorsed standard NF T66-004 of December 1986 with effect from Dec. 20, 1999 (decision of theDirector General of AFNOR dated Nov. 20, 1999).

The term “softening point” is intended to mean the “softening point”measurement which is performed by means of an NF EN 1427 standardizedtest. The ring and ball softening point corresponds to the temperatureat which a steel ball of standard diameter, after having passed throughthe test material (stuck in a ring), reaches the bottom of astandardized tank filled with a liquid which is gradually heated andinto which the apparatus has been immersed.

The expression “is essentially composed of”, followed by one or morecharacteristics, means that, besides the components or steps explicitlylisted, components or steps which do not significantly modify theproperties and characteristics of the invention can be included in theprocess or the material of the invention.

The expression “of between X and Y” includes the limits, unlessexplicitly mentioned otherwise. This expression thus means that therange targeted comprises the values X, Y and all the values ranging fromX to Y.

The term “mastic asphalt composition” is intended to mean the mixture ofthe various components of a mastic asphalt before they are used byhot-pouring to form an asphalt surfacing on a support. The term“surfacing” is intended to mean the cooled material obtained after theprocessing (mixing and pouring) of the mastic asphalt composition.

For the purposes of the invention, the terms “binder” and “road binder”are used equivalently and independently of one another. The term“binder” or “road binder” is intended to mean any compositionsconsisting of one or more binder bases chosen from bitumen bases, pitchbases, clear binders or mixtures thereof and optionally comprising oneor more chemical additives, said compositions being suitable for use ina road application, in particular for the production of mastic asphalts.

For the purposes of the invention, the terms “bitumen” and “bituminousbinder” are used equivalently and independently of one another. The term“bitumen” or “bituminous binder” is intended to mean any bituminouscompositions consisting of one or more bitumen bases and optionallycomprising one or more chemical additives, said compositions beingcapable of being used in a road application, in particular as a mixturewith aggregates.

The invention also relates to the use of a particular bindercomposition, comprising at least one binder base and at least twoadditives having a synergistic action on the mechanical andviscosity-reducing properties. This improvement in the mechanicalproperties consists in particular of an improvement in the indentationresistance, which is a property that is particularly desired for theformulation of mastic asphalts. This is in particular because masticasphalts are used for surfacing ground surfaces subjected to repeatedmechanical stresses caused by shoe heels. The term “viscosity reducing”is intended to mean a reduction of the mastic asphalt coating andapplication temperatures below 200° C.

The Binder Composition

According to the invention, the binder composition comprises at leastone binder base chosen from bitumen bases, pitch bases, clear binders ormixtures thereof.

Advantageously, the binder base represents at least 50% by weightrelative to the total weight of the binder composition, even moreadvantageously at least 75% by weight relative to the total weight ofthe binder composition.

Even more advantageously, the binder base represents at least 90% byweight relative to the total weight of the binder composition, andpreferably at least 95% by weight relative to the total weight of thebinder composition.

First Variant

According to a first variant, the binder base comprises at least onebitumen base. According to this variant, it may also comprise, in anonlimiting manner, at least one pitch, at least one oil, at least oneelastomer, and/or at least one olefinic polymer adjuvant.

According to one embodiment of this first variant, the binder basecomprises at least one bitumen base and from 0.5% to 15% by weight,preferably from 1% to 15% by weight, more preferentially from 2% to 12%by weight of polymer, advantageously of elastomer, relative to the totalweight of the binder base.

According to one embodiment of this first variant, the bindercomposition comprises from 0.05% to 15% by weight, preferably from 0.1%to 10% by weight, more preferentially from 0.5% to 6% by weight of atleast one olefinic polymer adjuvant relative to the total weight of thebinder base.

According to one embodiment, the bitumen base is used as a mixture withat least one pitch.

Advantageously, according to this embodiment, the binder base comprises:

a) at least one pitch with a penetrability at 25° C. ranging from 0 to20 1/10 mm and a ring and ball softening point (RBSP) ranging from 115°C. to 175° C., it being understood that the penetrability is measuredaccording to the standard EN 1426 and that the RBSP is measuredaccording to the standard EN 1427, and

b) at least one bitumen base.

Advantageously, according to this embodiment, the binder base comprisesfrom 2% to 30% by weight of pitch relative to the total weight of thebinder base, preferably from 3% to 20% by weight of pitch relative tothe total weight of the binder base.

Second Variant

According to a second variant, the binder base comprises at least onepitch. According to this variant, it may also comprise, in a nonlimitingmanner, at least one bitumen base, at least one oil, at least oneelastomer and/or at least one olefinic polymer adjuvant.

According to one embodiment, the pitch is used as a mixture with atleast one oil in the binder base.

Advantageously, according to this embodiment, the binder base comprises:

-   -   90% to 10% by weight of at least one oil chosen from:        hydrocarbon-based oils of petroleum or synthetic origin,    -   10% to 90% by weight of at least one pitch,

relative to the total weight of the binder base.

Preferably, according to this embodiment, the binder base comprises:

-   -   10% to 70% by weight of at least one oil chosen from:        hydrocarbon-based oils of petroleum or synthetic origin,    -   90% to 30% by weight of at least one pitch,

relative to the total weight of the binder base.

More preferentially, according to this embodiment, the binder basecomprises:

-   -   15% to 50% by weight of at least one oil chosen from:        hydrocarbon-based oils of petroleum or synthetic origin,    -   50% to 85% by weight of at least one pitch,

relative to the total weight of the binder base.

Third Variant

According to a third variant, the binder base is a clear binder base.

Usually, the clear binder base comprises:

i) a plasticizer,

ii) a structuring agent, for example a hydrocarbon-based or plant resin,

iii) a polymer,

iv) where appropriate, doping agents, or dopants, or adhesion dopants.

In one embodiment, the amount of plasticizer used in the clear binderbase is from 40% to 80%, preferably from 45% to 70% by weight, relativeto the total weight of the clear binder base.

In one embodiment, the weight ratio between the structuring agent andthe plasticizer used for the preparation of the clear binder base isfrom 0.3 to 1.5, for example from 0.5 to 1.

In one specific embodiment, the amount of structuring agent used in theprocess for preparing the clear binder base is from 25% to 50% by weightrelative to the total weight of clear binder base.

In one specific embodiment, the total amount of polymer in the clearbinder base is from 0.5% to 20% by weight, preferably from 1% to 10%,preferably from 1% to 7%, for example from 2% to 5%, relative to thetotal weight of clear binder base.

When they are added to the clear binder base, the adhesion dopantsrepresent in general between 0.05% and 0.5% by weight relative to theweight of the clear binder base. For example, in one specificembodiment, 0.05% to 0.5% of amine, preferably 0.1% to 0.3% of amine,relative to the total weight of clear binder base, will be added.

The Bitumen Base

The bitumen base may be used alone as a binder base or as a mixture withother components, such as an oil, a pitch, a polymer, and/or an olefinicpolymer adjuvant, to form a more complex binder base.

Mention may first of all be made, among the bitumen bases which can beused according to the invention, of bitumens of natural origin, thosepresent in natural bitumen or natural asphalt deposits or bituminoussands and bitumens originating from the refining of crude oil. Thebitumen bases according to the invention are advantageously chosen frombitumen bases originating from the refining of crude oil. The bitumenbases may be chosen from bitumen bases or mixtures of bitumen basesoriginating from the refining of crude oil, in particular bitumen basescontaining asphaltenes or pitches. The bitumen bases may be obtained viaconventional processes for manufacturing bitumen bases at a refinery, inparticular by direct distillation and/or vacuum distillation of oil.These bitumen bases can optionally be visbroken and/or deasphaltedand/or air-rectified. It is common practice to perform vacuumdistillation on the atmospheric residues originating from theatmospheric distillation of crude oil. This manufacturing processconsequently corresponds to the sequence of an atmospheric distillationand of a vacuum distillation, the feedstock supplying the vacuumdistillation corresponding to the atmospheric residues. These vacuumresidues derived from the vacuum distillation tower may also be used asbitumens. It is also standard to inject air into a feedstock generallycomposed of distillates and of heavy products originating from thevacuum distillation of atmospheric residues originating from thedistillation of oil. This process makes it possible to obtain a blown orsemi-blown or oxidized or air-rectified or partially air-rectified base.

The various bitumen bases obtained via the refining processes may becombined together to obtain the best technical compromise. The bitumenbase may also be a recycled bitumen base. The bitumen bases may bebitumen bases of hard grade or of soft grade.

According to the invention, for conventional processes for themanufacture of bitumen bases, the operation is carried out atmanufacturing temperatures of between 100° C. and 200° C., preferablybetween 140° C. and 200° C., more preferably between 140° C. and 170°C., and with stirring for a period of time of at least 10 minutes,preferably of between 30 minutes and 10 hours, more preferably between 1hour and 6 hours. The term “manufacturing temperature” means thetemperature of heating of the bitumen base(s) before mixing and also themixing temperature. The heating time and temperature vary according tothe amount of bitumen used and are defined by the standard NF EN 12594.

According to the invention, blown bitumens can be manufactured in ablowing unit by passing a stream of air and/or oxygen through a startingbituminous base. This operation may be performed in the presence of anoxidation catalyst, for example phosphoric acid. The blowing isgenerally performed at high temperatures, of the order of 200 to 300°C., for relatively long times typically between 30 minutes and 2 hours,continuously or in batches. The blowing time and temperature areadjusted as a function of the properties targeted for the blown bitumenand as a function of the quality of the starting bitumen.

Preferentially, the bitumen base used to manufacture the compositions ofthe invention has a needle penetration measured at 25° C. according tothe standard EN 1426 of 5 to 330 1/10 mm, preferably 20 to 220 1/10 mm.In a well-known manner, the “needle penetration” measurement is carriedout by means of an NF EN 1426 standardized test at 25° C. (P₂₅). Thispenetration characteristic is expressed in tenths of a millimeter (dmmor 1/10 mm). The needle penetration, measured at 25° C., according tothe NF EN 1426 standardized test, represents the measurement of thepenetration of a needle, the weight of which with its support is 100 g,into a bitumen sample, after a time of 5 seconds. The standard NF EN1426 replaces the equivalent standard NF T 66-004 of December 1986 witheffect on Dec. 20, 1999 (decision of the Director General of AFNOR datedNov. 20, 1999).

The Pitch

The pitch may be used alone as a binder base or as a mixture with othercomponents such as an oil or a bitumen base to form a more complexbinder base.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the pitch is a blownpitch, also called an oxidized pitch. According to the invention, usewill be made, independently of one another, of the terms “blown pitch”and “oxidized pitch”.

According to the dictionary, the term “pitch” is understood to mean aresidue from the distillation of tars from oil, from coal, from wood orfrom other organic molecules.

The pitch used in the invention is chosen from petroleum distillationresidues, also known as “petroleum pitch”.

In the description, the terms “pitch”, “petroleum pitch” and“deasphalting pitch” will be used independently of one another.

The pitches may be obtained via conventional manufacturing processes ina refinery. The manufacturing process corresponds to the sequence of anatmospheric distillation and of a vacuum distillation. In a first step,the crude oil is subjected to a distillation at atmospheric pressure,which results in a gas phase, different distillates and an atmosphericdistillation residue being obtained. The residue from the atmosphericdistillation is then itself subjected to a distillation under reducedpressure, known as vacuum distillation, which makes it possible toseparate a heavy gas oil, various distillate fractions and a vacuumdistillation residue. This vacuum distillation residue contains“petroleum pitch” in variable concentration.

It is possible to obtain the “petroleum pitch” according to twoprocesses:

1st Process:

The vacuum distillation residue is subjected to a deasphalting operationby addition of an appropriate solvent, such as propane, which thus makesit possible to precipitate the pitch and to separate it from the lightfractions, such as the deasphalted oil.

2nd Process:

The vacuum distillation residue is subjected to solvent extraction, morespecifically with furfural. This heterocyclic aldehyde has thedistinguishing feature of selectively dissolving aromatic and polycycliccompounds. This process thus makes it possible to remove the aromaticextracts and to recover the “petroleum pitch”.

Preferably, the oxidized pitch used according to the invention isobtained by oxidation of a mixture comprising pitch and a diluent, suchas a light gasoline, also known as “flux”, subjected to an oxidationoperation in a blowing tower in the presence of a catalyst, at a fixedtemperature and at a given pressure.

For example, oxidized pitches may be manufactured in a blowing unit bypassing a stream of air and/or oxygen through a starting pitch. Thisoperation may be performed in the presence of an oxidation catalyst, forexample phosphoric acid. Generally, the oxidation is carried out at hightemperatures, of the order of 200 to 300° C., for relatively longperiods of time typically of between 30 minutes and 2 hours,continuously or batchwise. The period of time and the temperature foroxidation are adjusted as a function of the properties targeted for theoxidized pitch and as a function of the quality of the starting pitch.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the pitch is in the formof pellets before it is introduced into the heated oil. Such anembodiment facilitates the handling of the components and theimplementation of the process.

The mechanical qualities of the pitches are generally evaluated bydetermining a series of mechanical features via standardized tests, themost widely used of which are the needle penetrability expressed in 1/10mm and the softening point determined by the ring and ball test, alsoknown as the ring and ball softening point (RBSP).

According to one embodiment of the invention, the pitch exhibits aneedle penetrability at 25° C. of 0 to 20 1/10 mm, preferably of 5 to 201/10 mm, it being understood that the penetrability is measuredaccording to the standard EN 1426.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the pitch exhibits asoftening point of between 115° C. and 175° C. Among examples of pitchesused in the invention, there are pitches respectively exhibiting asoftening point of between 115 and 125° C., between 135 and 145° C. oralso between 165 and 175° C.

The Clear Binder

For the purposes of the invention, the terms “clear binder” and “clearbinder base” are used equivalently and independently of one another.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the clear bindercomprises:

i) a plasticizer, for example a natural or synthetic oil, free ofasphaltenes,

ii) a structuring agent, for example a hydrocarbon or plant resin,

iii) a polymer,

iv) where appropriate, doping agents, or dopants, or adhesion dopants.

Clear binder compositions are described in the following patentapplications and these clear binder compositions can be used as a clearbinder base in the present invention.

A clear binder comprising hydrogenated white oils comprising at least60% of paraffinic carbons (according to the ASTM D2140 method), and ahydrocarbon-based resin, where appropriate mixed with ethylene-vinylacetate (EVA) copolymers or low density polyethylene, for example of theEPDM (ethylene-propylene-diene-monomer) type, as described in WO01/53409, may be used as clear binder base.

A clear binder comprising an oil with a naphthenic compound contentbetween 35% and 80% and a hydrocarbon-based resin, as described in EP1783174, may be used as clear binder base.

A clear binder comprising a synthetic oil, a resin and an SBS or SIStype polymer, as described in EP 1473327, may be used as clear binderbase.

As clear binder base, use may be made of a clear binder comprising:

-   -   at least one oil of petroleum origin, preferably an aromatic oil        comprising aromatic extracts of petroleum residues, obtained by        extraction or dearomatization of residues from distillations of        petroleum fractions, and    -   at least one resin of plant origin, preferably chosen from rosin        esters, esters of glycerol and rosins, esters of pentaerythritol        and rosins, taken alone or as a mixture, as described in WO        2009/150519.

As clear binder base, use may be made of a synthetic clear bindercomprising:

-   -   at least one oil of plant origin, preferably chosen from        rapeseed, sunflower, soybean, linseed, olive, palm, castor,        wood, maize, marrow, grapeseed, jojoba, sesame, walnut,        hazelnut, almond, shea, macadamia, cottonseed, alfalfa, rye,        safflower, groundnut, coconut and coconut kernel oils, and        mixtures thereof,    -   at least one resin of petroleum origin, preferably chosen from        resins of hydrocarbon petroleum origin resulting from the        copolymerization of aromatic, aliphatic, cyclopentadienic        petroleum fractions taken alone or as a mixture, and    -   at least one polymer, preferably chosen from styrene/butadiene        copolymers, styrene/isoprene copolymers, ethylene/propene/diene        terpolymers, polychloroprenes, ethylene/vinyl acetate        copolymers, ethylene/methyl acrylate copolymers, ethylene/butyl        acrylate copolymers, ethylene/methyl acrylate/glycidyl        methacrylate terpolymers, ethylene/butyl acrylate/maleic        anhydride terpolymers, atactic polypropylenes, taken alone or as        mixtures,

the amount of plant oil in the binder being greater than or equal to 10%by weight and the amount of polymer in the binder being less than orequal to 15% by weight, as described in WO 2010/055491.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the clear binder basecomprises:

(i) a plasticizer consisting of an oil containing a total content ofparaffinic compounds, measured according to the ASTM D2140 method, of atleast 50%, preferably at least 60% by weight, more preferentially ofbetween 50% and 90%, preferably between 60% and 80%, and

(ii) a copolymer based on conjugated diene units and monovinyl aromatichydrocarbon units, for example based on butadiene units and styreneunits.

Preferably, the clear binder base preferably comprises (i) from 40% to80% by weight of plasticizer, (ii) from 20% to 50% by weight of resin,(iii) from 1% to 7% by weight of copolymer; and (iv) optionally from0.05% to 0.5% by weight of adhesion dopant, for example of amine,relative to the weight of clear binder base.

Advantageously, the clear binder base preferably comprises (i) from 40%to 80% by weight of plasticizer, (ii) from 20% to 50% by weight ofresin, (iii) from 1% to 7% by weight of copolymer, and (iv) from 0.05%to 0.5% by weight of adhesion dopant, for example of amine, relative tothe weight of clear binder base.

Even more advantageously, the clear binder base comprises (i) from 45%to 70% by weight of plasticizer, (ii) from 25% to 50% by weight ofresin, (iii) from 1% to 7% by weight of copolymer; and (iv) optionallyfrom 0.1% and 0.3% by weight of adhesion dopant, relative to the totalweight of clear binder base.

Preferably, the clear binder base consists essentially of (i) from 40%to 80% by weight of plasticizer, (ii) from 20% to 50% by weight ofresin, (iii) from 1% to 7% by weight of copolymer, relative to the totalweight of clear binder base.

Advantageously, the clear binder base essentially consists of (i) from40% to 80% by weight of plasticizer, (ii) from 20% to 50% by weight ofresin, (iii) from 1% to 7% by weight of copolymer and (iv) from 0.05% to0.5% by weight of adhesion dopant, relative to the total weight of clearbinder base.

Even more advantageously, the clear binder base essentially consists of(i) from 45% to 70% by weight of plasticizer, (ii) from 25% to 50% byweight of resin, (iii) from 1% to 7% by weight of copolymer; and (iv)from 0.1% and 0.3% by weight of adhesion dopant, relative to the totalweight of clear binder base.

Preferably, the copolymer is a copolymer based on styrene and butadieneunits which comprises a weight content of 1,2-butadiene ranging from 5%to 70%.

Preferably, the copolymer is advantageously a copolymer based on styreneand butadiene units which comprises a weight content of 1,2-butadieneranging from 5% to 70% and a weight content of 1,2-vinyl groups ofbetween 10% and 40%.

For example, said copolymer based on styrene and butadiene units has aweight-average molecular weight of between 10 000 and 500 000,preferably between 50 000 and 200 000 and more preferentially between 50000 and 150 000 daltons. Preferably, a styrene/butadiene block copolymeror styrene/butadiene/styrene block copolymer will be used.

The clear binder bases according to the invention are advantageouslycharacterized in that they have a color index of less than or equal to4, preferably less than or equal to 3, as determined according to theASTM DH4 scale.

In addition, they may advantageously have a ring and ball softeningpoint, determined according to the standard NF EN1427, of between 55° C.and 90° C.

Preferably, the clear binder base according to the invention has apenetrability at 25° C., measured according to the NF EN 1426 standard,of between 10 and 220 1/10 mm, preferably between 30 and 100 1/10 mm,more preferentially between 40 and 80 1/10 mm. Those skilled in the artcan modulate the penetrability of the clear binder base notably byjudiciously choosing the [structuring agent/plasticizer] weight ratio inthe composition of the clear binder base. Indeed, it is known that anincrease in this ratio makes it possible to reduce the penetrability at25° C.

The clear binder bases used in the invention can be prepared, forexample, according to the following process comprising the steps of:

(i) mixing the plasticizer, for example the DAO oil, and heating at atemperature of between 140 and 200° C., for example for from 10 minutesto 30 minutes,

(ii) adding the structuring agent, for example the hydrocarbon-basedresin, mixing and heating at a temperature of between 140 and 200° C.,for example for from 30 minutes to 2 hours,

(iii) adding the polymer(s), for example SBS, mixing and heating at atemperature of between 140 and 200° C., for example for from 90 minutesto 3 hours, preferably from 90 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes,

iv) optionally adding an adhesion dopant, mixing and heating at atemperature of between 140 and 200° C., for example for from 5 minute to20 minutes.

The order of steps (i) to (iv) can be modified.

The Oils

The oil can be of any type, it is chosen according to the conditions ofthe subsequent application.

The oil is used for the formulation of a binder base such as for examplea clear binder base, or as a mixture with a bitumen base or with apitch.

In particular, the oil can be the plasticizer of the clear binder.

For the purposes of the invention, the term “plasticizer of the clearbinder” is intended to mean a chemical constituent that makes itpossible to thin and reduce the viscosity and the modulus of the clearbinder base.

In one embodiment of the invention, the plasticizer of the clear binderis chosen from oils of petroleum origin, oils of plant origin andmixtures thereof.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the oils of plant originare chosen from rapeseed, sunflower, soybean, linseed, olive, palm,castor, wood, maize, marrow, grapeseed, jojoba, sesame, walnut,hazelnut, almond, shea, macadamia, cottonseed, alfalfa, rye, safflower,groundnut, coconut and coconut kernel oils, and mixtures thereof.

Preferably, the oils of plant origin are chosen from rapeseed,sunflower, linseed, coconut and soybean oils, and mixtures thereof.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the oils used in the clearbinder base are chosen from oils of petroleum origin, in particulararomatic oils, or paraffinic oils, and oils of synthetic origin.

For use as a mixture with a bitumen base or a pitch, the oil ispreferably a hydrocarbon-based oil of petroleum origin, ahydrocarbon-based oil of synthetic origin or mixtures thereof.

Preferably, the oil is a hydrocarbon-based oil of petroleum origin. Itcan be of aromatic or paraffinic type.

According to a first embodiment, the oil is composed of 90% to 100% byweight of at least one hydrocarbon-based oil of petroleum origin,advantageously of 95% to 100%, even better still of 98% to 100%, byweight of at least one hydrocarbon-based oil of petroleum origin. Evenmore advantageously, the oil consists of a hydrocarbon-based oil or of amixture of hydrocarbon-based oils of petroleum origin.

In a first embodiment of the invention, the hydrocarbon-based oil ofpetroleum origin is chosen from aromatic oils.

More preferentially, the aromatic oils have a content of aromaticcompounds of between 30% and 95% by weight, advantageously of between50% and 95% by weight, more advantageously of between 60% and 95% byweight, relative to the total weight of the aromatic oil (SARA:Saturates/Aromatics/Resins/Asphaltenes method).

More preferentially, the aromatic oils have a content of saturatedcompounds of between 1% and 20% by weight, advantageously of between 3%and 15% by weight, more advantageously of between 5% and 10% by weight(SARA: Saturates/Aromatics/Resins/Asphaltenes method).

More preferentially, the aromatic oils have a content of resin-basedcompounds of between 1% and 10% by weight, advantageously of between 3%and 5% by weight (SARA: Saturates/Aromatics/Resins/Asphaltenes method).

The contents of saturated, resin-based and aromatic compounds mentionedin the present patent application are determined according to thestandard ASTM D2140, as % by weight relative to the weight of the oil.

More preferentially, the aromatic oils have a kinematic viscosity at100° C. of between 0.1 and 150 mm²/s, advantageously of between 5 and120 mm²/s, more advantageously of between 7 and 90 mm²/s (ASTM D 445method).

More preferentially, the aromatic oils have a Cleveland flash point ofgreater than or equal to 150° C., advantageously of between 150° C. and600° C., more advantageously of between 200° C. and 400° C. (EN ISO 2592method).

More preferentially, the aromatic oils have an aniline point of between20° C. and 120° C., advantageously of between 40° C. and 120° C. (ASTMD611 method).

More preferentially, the aromatic oils have a density at 15° C. ofbetween 400 kg/m³ and 1500 kg/m³, advantageously of between 600 kg/m³and 1200 kg/m³, more advantageously of between 800 kg/m³ and 1000 kg/m³(ASTM D4052 method).

According to this advantageous embodiment, the aromatic oil comprisesaromatic extracts of petroleum residues, obtained by extraction ordearomatization of residues from distillations of petroleum cuts.

The aromatic extracts are byproducts of the process for the refining ofcrude oils, obtained in particular from products of the vacuumdistillation of atmospheric residues. They result from a simple or froma double extraction of the raffinate upgradable in lubricants, by meansof a polar solvent. The different extracts are classified in differentcategories as a function of their process of production and are asfollows:

-   -   DAE (Distillate Aromatic Extract) products,    -   MES (Mild Extract Solvate) products,    -   TDAE (Treated Distillate Aromatic Extract) products,    -   RAE (Residual Aromatic Extract) products,    -   TRAE (Treated Residual Aromatic Extract) products.

For example, the aromatic oils which can be used according to theinvention can be chosen from the following products sold by Total underthe names: Plaxolene 50® (also sold under the brand name Regenis 50®),Plaxolene TD346® and Plaxolene MS132®.

The respective contents of paraffinic, naphthenic and aromatic compoundsdepend to a certain extent on the nature of the crude oil which is thesource of the aromatic oil and on the refining process used.

For example, Plaxolene 50® or Regenis 50® is an RAE (Residual AromaticExtract) which has:

-   -   a density at 15° C. of between 980 kg/m³ and 1010 kg/m³ (ASTM        D4052 method),    -   a (Cleveland) flash point of approximately 230° C. (EN ISO 2592        method),    -   a kinematic viscosity at 100° C. of between 60 and 85 mm²/s        (ASTM D 445 method),    -   an aniline point of between 53 and 65° C. (ASTM D611 method).

For example, Plaxolene TD346® is a TDAE (Treated Distillates AromaticExtract) which exhibits:

-   -   a density at 15° C. of between 940 kg/m³ and 970 kg/m³ (ASTM        D4052 method),    -   a (Cleveland) flash point of approximately 220° C. (EN ISO 2592        method),    -   a kinematic viscosity at 100° C. of between 16 and 23 mm²/s        (ASTM D 445 method),    -   an aniline point of between 64 and 72° C. (ASTM D611 method).

For example, Plaxolene MS132® is an MES (Mild Extract Solvate) whichexhibits:

-   -   a density at 15° C. of between 895 kg/m³ and 925 kg/m³ (ASTM        D4052 method),    -   a (Cleveland) flash point of approximately 230° C. (EN ISO 2592        method),    -   a kinematic viscosity at 100° C. of between 13 and 17 mm²/s        (ASTM D 445 method),    -   an aniline point of between 85 and 100° C. (ASTM D611 method).

According to a second advantageous embodiment, the oil is a paraffinicoil predominantly comprising paraffinic extracts of petroleum residues.According to this specific embodiment, advantageously, the oil comprisesa total content of paraffinic compounds of at least 50% by weight,preferably of at least 60% by weight, for example of between 50% and90%, preferably between 60% and 90%, more preferably between 50% and 80%and in particular of between 55% and 75% or in particular of between 60%and 75%.

In a more specific embodiment, the oil additionally contains a totalcontent of naphthenic compounds which does not exceed 25%, for exampleof between 5% and 25% and in particular of between 10% and 25%.

In a more specific embodiment, the oil additionally contains a totalcontent of aromatic compounds which does not exceed 25%, for example ofbetween 5% and 25% and in particular of between 8% and 18%.

In one particularly preferred form, the oil is a paraffinic oil,comprising the respective contents:

(i) a total content of paraffinic compounds of between 50% and 90%;

(ii) a total content of naphthenic compounds of between 5% and 25%; and

(iii) a total content of aromatic compounds of between 5% and 25%.

In a more particularly preferred embodiment, the oil is a paraffinicoil, comprising the respective contents:

(i) a total content of paraffinic compounds of between 60% and 75%;

(ii) a total content of naphthenic compounds of between 5% and 25%; and

(iii) a total content of aromatic compounds of between 5% and 25%.

In a more preferred embodiment, the oil is a paraffinic oil, comprisingthe respective contents:

(i) a total content of paraffinic compounds of between 60% and 75%;

(ii) a total content of naphthenic compounds of between 15% and 25%; and

(iii) a total content of aromatic compounds of between 10% and 15%.

In one preferred embodiment of this variant, the paraffinic oils resultfrom the deasphalting cuts from the distillation under reduced pressure(vacuum residue VR) of crude oil (hereinafter denoted “DAO oil”). Theprincipal of deasphalting rests on a separation by precipitation of apetroleum residue into two phases: i) a “deasphalted oil” phase, alsoknown as “oil matrix” or “oil phase” or DAO (DeAsphalted Oil); and ii)an “asphalt” phase.

Oils corresponding to the characteristics below and which can be usedaccording to the invention are obtained by the processes for thedeasphalting of the vacuum residues (VRs) resulting from the refining ofoil, for example by a deasphalting using a C₃ to C₆ solvent, preferablywith propane. Deasphalting processes are well known to those skilled inthe art and are described, for example, in FR 3 014 111, US2004/0069685, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,305,812 and 4,455,216 or in Lee et al.,2014, Fuel Processing Technology, 119, 204-210.

In Lee et al., 2014, Fuel Processing Technology, 119, 204-210, theresidues resulting from the vacuum distillation (VRs) are separatedaccording to their molecular weight in the presence of C₃ to C₆ solvent(for example propane). The “DAO” oil thus obtained is rich in paraffin,exhibits a very low content of asphaltenes, has an evaporationtemperature of between 440° C. and 750° C. and has a much greater APIgravity than that of the vacuum residues

The API (American Petroleum Institute) gravity or API density of an oilcan be obtained from the following formula (1):

$G_{API} = {\frac{141.5}{d} - 131.5}$

with:

-   -   G_(API), the API gravity of the oil under consideration        (expressed without unit), and    -   d, the density at 16° C. (60° F.) of the oil under consideration        (expressed without unit), taking water as reference.

The respective contents of paraffinic, naphthenic and aromatic compoundsdepend to a certain extent on the nature of the crude oil which is thesource of the DAO oil and on the refining process used. Those skilled inthe art know how to determine the respective contents of paraffinic,naphthenic and aromatic compounds of a DAO oil, for example using theSARA fractionation method, also described in Lee et al., 2014, FuelProcessing Technology, 119, 204-210, and to thus select the DAO oilappropriate for the preparation of the gelled oil composition accordingto the invention.

The contents of paraffinic, naphthenic and aromatic compounds mentionedin the present patent application are determined according to thestandard ASTM D2140, as % by weight relative to the weight of the oil.

In a third embodiment of the invention, the hydrocarbon-based oil ofpetroleum origin is a mixture of aromatic oils as described above andparaffinic oils as described above.

The Plasticizer of the Clear Binder

For the purposes of the invention, the term “plasticizer of the clearbinder” is intended to mean a chemical constituent that makes itpossible to thin and reduce the viscosity and the modulus of the clearbinder base.

In one embodiment of the invention, the plasticizer of the clear binderis chosen from oils of petroleum origin, oils of plant origin andmixtures thereof.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the oils of plant originare chosen from rapeseed, sunflower, soybean, linseed, olive, palm,castor, wood, maize, marrow, grapeseed, jojoba, sesame, walnut,hazelnut, almond, shea, macadamia, cottonseed, alfalfa, rye, safflower,groundnut, coconut and coconut kernel oils, and mixtures thereof.

Preferably, the oils of plant origin are chosen from rapeseed,sunflower, linseed, coconut and soybean oils, and mixtures thereof.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the oils used in the clearbinder base are chosen from oils of petroleum origin, in particulararomatic oils, or paraffinic oils, and oils of synthetic origin. Thehydrocarbon-based oils of petroleum origin and the preferred variantsthereof for use as a plasticizer of the clear binder are described abovein the section “The oils”.

The Structuring Agent of the Clear Binder

The term “structuring agent of the clear binder” is intended to mean anychemical constituent imparting mechanical properties and satisfactorycohesiveness to the clear binder base.

The structuring agent used in the clear binder base is a resin,preferably chosen from resins of hydrocarbon petroleum origin or ofplant origin.

According to one embodiment, the resins of plant origin are chosen fromrosin esters such as rosin methyl esters, esters of glycerol and rosins,esters of pentaerythritol and rosins, and mixtures thereof.

According to one embodiment, the resins of plant origin are obtainedfrom vegetables and/or plants. They can be from a harvest, that is tosay harvested from the living plant. They can be used as they are, theterm “natural resins” is then used, or they can be chemically converted,the term “modified natural resins” is then used.

Among the harvest resins are acaroid resins, dammar, natural rosins,modified rosins, rosin esters and metal resinates. These may be takenalone or as a mixture.

Among the natural rosins, mention may be made of gum and wood rosins, inparticular pine rosin, and/or tall oil rosin. These natural rosins maybe taken alone or as a mixture.

Among the modified rosins, mention may be made of hydrogenated rosins,disproportionated rosins, polymerized rosins and/or maleinized rosins.These modified natural rosins may be taken alone or as a mixture, andmay undergo one or more disproportionation, polymerization and/ormaleinization treatments.

Among the rosin esters, mention may be made of methyl esters of naturalrosins, methyl esters of hydrogenated rosins, esters of glycerol and ofnatural rosins, esters of glycerol and hydrogenated rosins, esters ofglycerol and of disproportionated rosins, esters of glycerol and ofpolymerized rosins, esters of glycerol and of maleinized rosins, estersof pentaerythritol and of natural rosins and esters of pentaerythritoland of hydrogenated rosins. These rosin esters can be taken alone or asa mixture and come from rosins having undergone one or moredisproportionation, polymerization and/or maleinization treatments.

Esters of pentaerythritol and of natural rosins and esters ofpentaerythritol and of hydrogenated rosins are the preferred rosinesters.

Among the metal resinates, mention may be made of metal carboxylates,for example of Ca, Zn, Mg, Ba, Pb or Co, obtained from natural rosins orfrom modified rosins. Calcium resinates, zinc resinates, mixedcalcium/zinc resinates, taken alone or as a mixture, are preferred.

For more information on resins of plant origin that can be used in theclear binder bases, reference may be made to Bernard Delmond's articleK340 published in the “Techniques de l'ingénieur”.

Preferably, the resins of plant origin have a softening temperature ofbetween 60° C. and 200° C., preferably between 80° C. and 150° C., morepreferably between 90° C. and 110° C.

Preferably, the resins of plant origin have an acid number of between 2mg and 25 mg, preferably between 5 mg and 20 mg, more preferentiallybetween 6 mg and 16 mg.

The hydrocarbon-based resins of petroleum origin are derived from thecopolymerization of aromatic, aliphatic, cyclopentadienic petroleumfractions, taken alone or as a mixture, preferably derived from aromaticpetroleum fractions. For example, it may be a polycycloaliphaticthermoplastic resin, for example of the low molecular weighthydrogenated cyclopentadiene homopolymer type.

More particularly, the hydrocarbon resin of the cyclopentane type has asoftening point (or ring-and-ball temperature, RBT, according to the NFT 66-008 standard) of greater than 125° C., and a Gardner color index(according to the NF T 20-030 standard) equal to at most 1.

The Polymer

The polymer can be part of the composition of clear binder bases andbitumen bases or pitch bases.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the binder base maycomprise known elastomers, such as the copolymers SB (styrene/butadieneblock copolymer), SBS (styrene/butadiene/styrene block copolymer), SIS(styrene/isoprene/styrene), SBS* (star-branchedstyrene/butadiene/styrene block copolymer), SBR (styrene-b-butadienerubber) or EPDM (modified ethylene propylene diene). These elastomersmay also be cross-linked according to any known process, for examplewith sulfur. Mention may also be made of elastomers prepared fromstyrene monomers and butadiene monomers allowing crosslinking without acrosslinking agent, as described in WO 2007/058994 and WO 2008/137394and by the Applicant in patent application WO 11/013073.

Advantageously, the elastomer used in the process for preparing thebinder base is a copolymer based on conjugated diene units and onmonovinyl aromatic hydrocarbon units. The conjugated diene is preferablychosen from those comprising from 4 to 8 carbon atoms per monomer, forexample butadiene, 2-methyl-1,3-butadiene (isoprene),2,3-dimethyl-1,3-butadiene, 1,3-pentadiene and 1,2-hexadiene,chloroprene, carboxylated butadiene, carboxylated isoprene, inparticular butadiene and isoprene, and mixtures thereof.

The monovinyl aromatic hydrocarbon is preferably chosen from styrene,o-methylstyrene, p-methylstyrene, p-tert-butylstyrene,2,3-dimethylstyrene, p-methylstyrene, vinylnaphthalene, vinyltoluene,vinylxylene, and the like or mixtures thereof, in particular styrene.

More particularly, the polymer consists of one or more copolymers chosenfrom block copolymers of styrene and butadiene, of styrene and isoprene,of styrene and chloroprene, of styrene and carboxylated butadiene or ofstyrene and carboxylated isoprene. A preferred copolymer is a copolymerbased on butadiene units and styrene units such as the SBstyrene/butadiene block copolymer or the SBS styrene/butadiene/styreneblock copolymer.

The styrene/conjugated diene copolymer, in particular thestyrene/butadiene copolymer, advantageously has a weight content ofstyrene ranging from 5% to 50%, preferably from 20% to 50%.

The styrene/conjugated diene copolymer, in particular thestyrene/butadiene copolymer, advantageously has a weight content ofbutadiene (1,2- and 1,4-) ranging from 50% to 95%. Thestyrene/conjugated diene copolymer, in particular the styrene/butadienecopolymer, advantageously has a content by weight of 1,2-butadieneranging from 5% to 70%, preferably from 5% to 50%. The 1,2-butadieneunits are the units which result from polymerization via the 1,2addition of butadiene units.

The weight-average molecular weight of the styrene/conjugated dienecopolymer, and in particular that of the styrene/butadiene copolymer,may be, for example, between 10 000 and 500 000, preferably between 50000 and 200 000 and more preferentially from 50 000 to 150 000 daltons.

In one specific embodiment, the clear binder base does not comprisepolymer of the ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) type or of the low densitypolyethylene type, such as EPDM (ethylene-propylene-diene monomer) orEPM (ethylene-propylene monomer).

The Adhesion Dopants

The adhesion dopants can be used in all binder bases to be mixed withaggregates, to improve the mutual affinity between the binder and theaggregates and to ensure its durability. These are, for example,nitrogen-containing surfactant compounds derived from fatty acids(amines, polyamines, alkylpolymanne, etc.).

The Coloring Agents

The coloring agents are intended for the coloring of the binder bases,in particular all binders devoid of bituminous compounds or pitch, suchas clear binder bases. The synthetic clear binder may also comprise oneor more coloring agents, such as mineral pigments or organic dyes. Thepigments are selected according to the shade and the color desired forthe coating. For example, metal oxides such as iron oxides, chromiumoxides, cobalt oxides or titanium oxides will be used to obtain thecolors red, yellow, gray, blue-green or white. The pigments can be addedeither to the clear binder base or to the bituminous mix (as a mixturewith the aggregates for example) or to an emulsion of the clear binder.

The Acid Compound

The acid compound is a compound of general formula (I):R—(COOH)_(z)  (I)

wherein R represents a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturatedchain comprising from 4 to 68 carbon atoms, preferably from 4 to 54carbon atoms, more preferentially from 4 to 36 carbon atoms and z is aninteger ranging from 2 to 4.

Preferably, the group R is a saturated linear chain of formulaC_(w)H_(2w) with w being an integer ranging from 4 to 22, preferablyfrom 4 to 12.

The organic compounds corresponding to formula (I) may be diacids (z=2),triacids (z=3) or tetracids (z=4). The preferred organic compoundsaccording to this alternative form are diacids with z=2.

Preferably, the diacids have the general formula HOOC—C_(w)H_(2w)—COOHwith w being an integer ranging from 4 to 22, preferably from 4 to 12and wherein z=2 and R″═C_(w)H_(2w).

Advantageously, the organic compound is a diacid chosen from adipic acidor 1,6-hexanedioic acid with w=4, pimelic acid or 1,7-heptanedioic acidwith w=5, suberic acid or 1,8-octanedioic acid with w=6, azelaic acid or1,9-nonanedioic acid with w=7, sebacic acid or 1,10-decanedioic acidwith w=8, undecanedioic acid with w=9, 1,2-dodecanedioic acid with w=10or tetradecanedioic acid with w=12.

Advantageously, the compound (I) is sebacic acid.

The diacids can also be diacid dimers of unsaturated fatty acid(s), thatis to say dimers formed from at least one unsaturated fatty acid, forexample from a single unsaturated fatty acid or from two differentunsaturated fatty acids. Diacid dimers of unsaturated fatty acid(s) areconventionally obtained by an intermolecular dimerization reaction of atleast one unsaturated fatty acid (Diels-Alder reaction, for example).Preferably, a single type of unsaturated fatty acid is dimerized. Theyare derived in particular from the dimerization of an unsaturated fattyacid, such as C₈ to C₃₄, especially C₁₂ to C₂₂, in particular C₁₆ to C₂₀and more particularly C₁₈ acids. A preferred fatty acid dimer isobtained by dimerization of linoleic acid, it being possible for thedimer to be subsequently partially or completely hydrogenated. Anotherpreferred fatty acid dimer has the formula HOOC—(CH₂)₇—CH═CH—(CH₂)₇—COOHAnother preferred fatty acid dimer is obtained by dimerization of methyllinoleate. In the same way, it is possible to find triacids of fattyacids and tetracids of fatty acids, obtained respectively bytrimerization and tetramerization of at least one fatty acid.

Preferably, the compound of formula (I) is present in the bindercomposition in an amount ranging from 0.1% to 5% by weight, relative tothe total weight of the binder composition, preferably from 0.5% to 4.5%by weight, even better still from 1% to 4% by weight.

The Amide Compound

The amide compound is a compound of general formula (II):R′—(NH)_(n)CONH—(X)_(m)—(NHCO)_(p)(NH)_(n)—R″  (II)

wherein:

-   -   the R′ and R″ groups, which may be identical or different,        represent a saturated or unsaturated and linear, branched or        cyclic hydrocarbon-based chain comprising from 1 to 22 carbon        atoms which optionally comprises heteroatoms, such as N, O or S,        C₅-C₂₄ hydrocarbon-based rings and/or C₄-C₂₄ hydrocarbon-based        heterocycles comprising one or more heteroatoms, such as N, O or        S, and R″ may be H;    -   the X group represents a saturated or unsaturated and linear,        cyclic or branched hydrocarbon-based chain comprising from 1 to        22 carbon atoms which is optionally substituted and which        optionally comprises heteroatoms, such as N, O or S, C₅-C₂₄        hydrocarbon-based rings and/or C₄-C₂₄ hydrocarbon-based        heterocycles comprising one or more heteroatoms, such as N, O or        S;    -   n, m and p are integers having a value of 0 or 1, independently        of one another.

When the integer m has a value of 0, and when the integer p has a valueof 1, then the R′—(NH)_(n)CONH— and —NHCO(NH)_(n)—R″ groups arecovalently linked and form a hydrazide bond CONH—NHCO. The R′ group, orthe R″ group, then comprises at least one group chosen from: ahydrocarbon-based chain of at least 4 carbon atoms, preferablycomprising from 4 to 22 carbon atoms, an aliphatic ring of 3 to 8 atoms,an aliphatic, partially aromatic or totally aromatic fused polycyclicsystem, each ring comprising 5 or 6 atoms.

When the integer m has a value of 1, then the R′ group, and/or the R″group and/or the X group, comprises at least one group chosen from: ahydrocarbon-based chain comprising from 1 to 22 carbon atoms, analiphatic ring of 3 to 8 atoms, an aliphatic, partially aromatic ortotally aromatic fused polycyclic system, each ring comprising 5 or 6atoms.

Preferably, the R′ and/or R″ group comprises an aliphatichydrocarbon-based chain of 4 to 22 carbon atoms, in particular chosenfrom the C₄H₉, C₅H₁₁, C₉H₁₉, C₁₁H₂₃, C₁₂H₂₅, C₁₇H₃₅, C₁₈H₃₇, C₂₁H₄₃ andC₂₂H₄₅ groups.

Preferably, the X group represents a saturated linear hydrocarbon-basedchain comprising from 1 to 22 carbon atoms; advantageously, X representsa saturated linear hydrocarbon-based chain comprising from 1 to 12carbon atoms and better still from 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Preferably, theX group is chosen from C₂H₄ and C₃H₆ groups.

The X group can also be a cyclohexyl group or a phenyl group; theR′—(NH)_(n)CONH— and —NHCO(NH)_(n)—R″ radicals can then be in the ortho,meta or para position. Moreover, the R′—(NH)_(n)CONH— andNHCO(NH)_(n)—R″ radicals can be in the cis or trans position withrespect to one another. Furthermore, when the X radical is cyclic, thisring can be substituted by groups other than the two main groupsR′—(NH)_(n)CONH— and —NHCO(NH)_(n)—R″.

Preferably, according to this variant, the X group comprises two ringsof 6 carbons bonded via a CH₂ group, these rings being aliphatic oraromatic. In this case, the X group is a group comprising two aliphaticrings connected by an optionally substituted CH₂ group, for example:

As an example of this variant, mention may be made of ureide derivativessuch as 4,4′-bis(dodecylaminocarbonylamino)diphenylmethane of formulaC₁₂H₂₅—NHCONH—C₆H₄—CH₂—C₆H₄—NHCONH—C₁₂H₂₅.

Preferably, the compound of general formula (II) is chosen from thosewhich satisfy the condition n=0.

Preferably, the compound of general formula (II) is chosen from thosewhich satisfy the condition: the sum of the numbers of the carbon atomsof R′, X and R″ is greater than or equal to 10, advantageously greaterthan or equal to 14, preferably greater than or equal to 18.

Preferably, the compound of general formula (II) is chosen from thosewhich satisfy the condition: the number of carbon atoms of at least onefrom among R′ and R″ is greater than or equal to 10, advantageouslygreater than or equal to 12, preferably greater than or equal to 14.

Preferably, according to a first variant, the compound of generalformula (II) is chosen from those of formula (IIA):R′—CONH—(X)_(m)—NHCO—R″  (IIA)

wherein R′, R″, m and X have the same definition as above.

Preferably, in the formula (IIA), when m=1, the X group represents asaturated linear hydrocarbon-based chain comprising from 1 to 22 carbonatoms; advantageously, X represents a saturated linear hydrocarbon-basedchain comprising from 1 to 12 carbon atoms and better still from 1 to 4carbon atoms. Preferably, the X group is chosen from the C₂H₄ and C₃H₆groups.

Preferably, the compound of general formula (IIA) is chosen from thosewhich satisfy the condition: the sum of the numbers of the carbon atomsof R′, X and R″ is greater than or equal to 10, advantageously greaterthan or equal to 14, preferably greater than or equal to 18.

Preferably, the compound of general formula (IIA) is chosen from thosewhich satisfy the condition: the number of carbon atoms of at least onefrom among R′ and R″ is greater than or equal to 10, advantageouslygreater than or equal to 12, preferably greater than or equal to 14.

Preferably, according to a second variant, the compound of generalformula (II) is chosen from those of formula (IIB):R′—CONH—R″  (IIB)

wherein R′ and R″ have the same definition as above.

Advantageously, according to this variant, the sum of the numbers of thecarbon atoms of R′ and R″ is greater than or equal to 10, advantageouslygreater than or equal to 14, preferably greater than or equal to 18.

Even more advantageously, according to this variant, the number ofcarbon atoms of R is greater than or equal to 10, advantageously greaterthan or equal to 12, preferably greater than or equal to 14, and R″═H.

Advantageously, the compound of general formula (II) is chosen fromhydrazide derivatives, such as the compounds C₅H₁₁—CONH—NHCO—C₅H₁₁,C₉H₁₉—CONH—NHCO—C₉H₁₉, C₁₁H₂₃—CONH—NHCO—C₁₁H₂₃, C₁₇H₃₅—CONH—NHCO—C₁₇H₃₅or C₂₁H₄₃—CONH—NHCO—C₂₁H₄₃, diamides, such asN,N′-ethylenedi(laurylamide) of formula C₁₁H₂₃—CONH—CH₂—CH₂—NHCO—C₁₁H₃₁,N,N′-ethylenedi(myristylamide) of formulaC₁₃H₂₇—CONH—CH₂—CH₂—NHCO—C₁₃H₂₇, N, N′-ethylenedi(palmitamide) offormula C₁₅H₃₁—CONH—CH₂—CH₂—NHCO—C₁₅H₃₁ or N,N′-ethylenedi(stearamide)of formula C₁₇H₃₅—CONH—CH₂—CH₂—NHCO—C₁₇H₃₅; monoamides, such aslaurylamide of formula C₁₁H₂₃—CONH₂, myristylamide of formulaC₁₃H₂₇—CONH₂, palmitamide of formula C₁₅H₃₁—CONH₂ or stearamide offormula C₁₇H₃₅—CONH₂.

Even more advantageously, the compound of general formula (II) isN,N′-ethylenedi(stearamide) of formula C₁₇H₃₅—CONH—CH₂—CH₂—NHCO—C₁₇H₃₅.

Preferably, the compound of formula (II) is present in the bindercomposition in an amount ranging from 0.1% to 5% by weight, relative tothe total weight of the binder composition, preferably from 0.5% to 4.5%by weight, even better still from 1% to 4% by weight.

Binder Composition

According to the invention, the weight ratio of the compounds (I) and(II) in the binder composition is from 10:1 to 1:16.

Advantageously, the weight ratio of the compounds (I) and (II) is from5:1 to 1:9.

According to a first embodiment of the invention, the sum of the weightsof the additives of formula (I) and of formula (II) represents from 0.5%to 12% by weight, preferably from 1% to 8% by weight. morepreferentially from 1.2% to 5% by weight relative to the total weight ofthe binder composition.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the supplementedbinder composition according to the invention is a concentrated bindercomposition. In this case, before its use, for example in an applicationdescribed below, the concentrated supplemented binder composition ismelted and then diluted with at least one other non-supplemented bindercomposition. This dilution is calculated to reach an additive content,i.e. a sum of the weights of the additives (I) and (II), whichrepresents from 0.5% to 12% by weight, preferably from 1% to 8% byweight, more preferentially from 1.2% to 5% by weight, relative to thetotal weight of the binder composition.

According to this embodiment, the sum of the weights of the additives offormula (I) and of formula (II) represents from 5% to 30% by weight,preferably from 6% to 28% by weight. more preferentially from 7% to 26%by weight relative to the total weight of said concentrated bindercomposition.

Preferably, the binder composition also comprises between 0.5% and 20%by weight, preferably between 2% and 20% by weight, more preferentiallybetween 4% and 15% by weight of at least one anticaking agent, relativeto the total weight of the binder composition.

The binder compositions are prepared from at least one binder base, saidcompositions being prepared by bringing into contact:

-   -   at least one binder base chosen from bitumen bases, pitch bases,        clear binders or mixtures thereof,    -   between 0.1% and 5% by weight, preferably between 0.5% and 4.5%        by weight, more preferentially between 1% and 4% by weight of an        additive (I), relative to the total weight of the binder        composition,    -   between 0.1% and 5% by weight, preferably between 0.5% and 4.5%        by weight, more preferentially between 0.5% and 4% by weight of        at least one additive (II), relative to the total weight of the        binder composition,    -   optionally between 0.5% and 20% by weight, preferably between 2%        and 20% by weight, more preferentially between 4% and 15% by        weight of at least one anticaking agent, relative to the total        weight of the binder composition,    -   the weight ratio of the compounds (I) and (II) being from 10:1        to 1:16.

Advantageously, the binder composition comprises, or essentiallyconsists of:

-   -   from 99.8% to 90% by weight of at least one binder base chosen        from bitumen bases, pitch bases, clear binders or mixtures        thereof,    -   from 0.1% to 5% by weight, relative to the total weight of the        binder composition, of at least one additive (I),    -   from 0.1% to 5% by weight, relative to the total weight of the        binder composition, of at least one additive (II),

and the weight ratio of the compounds (I) and (II) in the bindercomposition is from 10:1 to 1:16.

Even more advantageously, the binder composition comprises, oressentially consists of:

-   -   from 99% to 91% by weight of at least one binder base chosen        from bitumen bases, pitch bases, clear binders or mixtures        thereof,    -   from 0.5% to 4.5% by weight, relative to the total weight of the        binder composition, of at least one additive (I),    -   from 0.5% to 4.5% by weight, relative to the total weight of the        binder composition, of at least one additive (II),

and the weight ratio of the compounds (I) and (II) in the bindercomposition is from 5:1 to 1:9.

According to one embodiment, the binder composition comprises, oressentially consists of:

-   -   from 99.3% to 70% by weight of at least one binder base chosen        from bitumen bases, pitch bases, clear binders or mixtures        thereof,    -   from 0.1% to 5% by weight, relative to the total weight of the        binder composition, of at least one additive (I),    -   from 0.1% to 5% by weight, relative to the total weight of the        binder composition, of at least one additive (II),    -   from 0.5% to 20% by weight, preferably from 2% to 20% by weight,        more preferentially from 4% to 15% by weight of at least one        anticaking agent, relative to the total weight of the binder        composition,

and the weight ratio of the compounds (I) and (II) in the bindercomposition is from 10:1 to 1:16.

Advantageously, the binder composition is in a form that is solid undercold conditions and divided, for instance in the form of binder pelletsor binder blocks.

The Anticaking Compound

Optionally, as set out above, the binder composition may comprise one ormore anticaking compounds.

According to another embodiment, optionally, the binder composition,when in divided form that is solid under cold conditions, such as forexample in the form of binder pellets or binder blocks, can beoptionally coated with one or more anticaking compounds.

The anticaking compound is of mineral or organic origin. The term“anticaking agent” or “anticaking compound” is intended to mean anycompound which limits, reduces, inhibits, delays, the agglomerationand/or the adhesion of the pellets together during their transportationand/or their storage at ambient temperature and which ensures theirfluidity during handling.

Preferentially, the anticaking compound is chosen from: talc; fines,also known as “fillers”, generally less than 125 μm in diameter, such assiliceous fines, with the exception of limestone fines; ultrafines; sandsuch as Fontainebleau sand; cement; cementitious products such as flyash, blast furnace slags; carbon; wood residues such as lignin,lignosulfonate, conifer needle powders, conifer cone powders, especiallypine cone powders; rice husk ash; glass powder; clays such as kaolin,bentonite, vermiculite; alumina such as alumina hydrates; silica; silicaderivatives such as silicates, silicon hydroxides and other siliconoxides; fumed silicas, in particular hydrophilic or hydrophobic fumedsilicas; pyrogenic silicas, in particular hydrophobic or hydrophilicpyrogenic silicas; coloring agents; plastic powder; lime; plaster; crumbrubber; polymer powder, wherein the polymers are such asstyrene/butadiene (SB) copolymers, styrene/butadiene/styrene (SBS)copolymers, and mixtures of these materials.

Advantageously, the anticaking compound is chosen from: fines, generallyless than 125 μm in diameter; wood residues such as lignin, coniferneedle powders and conifer cone powders; fumed silicas, in particularhydrophilic or hydrophobic fumed silicas; pyrogenic silicas, inparticular hydrophobic or hydrophilic pyrogenic silicas; mixturesthereof.

The anticaking compound is preferably chosen from fumed silicas.

In particular, when the binder composition comprises at least oneanticaking compound, it is preferably chosen from fumed silicas.

When the binder composition in divided form that is solid under coldconditions is coated with at least one anticaking compound, saidanticaking compound is also preferably chosen from fumed silicas.

According to one embodiment, the clear binder composition in dividedform that is solid under cold conditions according to the inventioncomprises an anticaking compound, preferably chosen from fumed silicas,and is coated with at least one anticaking compound, preferably chosenfrom fumed silicas.

For the purposes of the invention, the “fumed silica” and “pyrogenicsilica” compounds have the same chemical definition and are recordedunder the same number CAS 112 945-52-5. Consequently, for the purposesof the invention, these compounds can be employed without distinctionfrom one another.

The term “pyrogenic silica” is understood to mean either a pyrogenicsilica or a pyrogenic silica derivative.

The term “pyrogenic silica” is understood to mean a compound obtained bythe vapor-phase hydrolysis of chlorosilanes, such as silicontetrachloride, in a flame of oxygen and hydrogen. Such processes aregenerally termed pyrogenic processes, the overall reaction of which is:SiCl₄+H₂+O₂→SiO₂+4 HCl.

Pyrogenic silicas are distinguished from the other silicon dioxides inthat they exhibit an amorphous structure. These silicas, of high purity(>99.8% silica), have a weak hydrophilic nature (no microporosity).

Preferably, the pyrogenic silica compound is pyrogenic silica.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the pyrogenic silicacompound exhibits a specific surface area of between 25 and 420 m²/g,preferably between 90 and 330 m²/g, more preferably between 120 and 280m²/g.

The specific surface area of the pyrogenic silica, defined in m²/g,commonly known as “surface area” or “SA”, is measured according to themethod of S. Brunauer, P. H. Emmett and I. Teller, J. Am. ChemicalSociety, 60, 309 (1938) (BET).

According to one embodiment of the invention, the pyrogenic silicacompound exhibits a mean particle size of between 5 and 50 nm.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the pyrogenic silicacompound exhibits a pH of between 3 and 10, when it is in the aqueousphase.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the pyrogenic silicacompound exhibits a carbon content of between 0.1% and 10% by weight,relative to the total weight of the pyrogenic silica compound.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the pyrogenic silicacompound is chosen from a hydrophilic pyrogenic silica compound, ahydrophobic pyrogenic silica compound and mixtures thereof.

Preferably, the pyrogenic silica compound is a hydrophilic pyrogenicsilica compound.

The term “hydrophilic” is intended to mean a compound which is misciblewith water in all proportions.

The pyrogenic silica compound, or pyrogenic silica derivative, usedwithin the meaning of the invention can be chemically modified.

Various types of pyrogenic silica compounds are described in thefollowing patent applications and can be used in the present invention:

-   -   silanized pyrogenic silicas, as described in WO 2004/020532 or        in WO 2007/128636,    -   hydrophilic pyrogenic silicas, as described in WO 2009/071467        and WO 2011/000133, filed in the name of Degussa AG or Degussa        GmbH,    -   fumed silicas rendered hydrophobic by a treatment using        polysiloxanes, as described in WO 2008/141932, or by        silanization, as described in WO 2008/141930,    -   silicas doped with potassium oxide, as described in WO        2008/043635 and WO 2008/022836,    -   silicas in the form of aggregates of primary particles, as        described in WO 2009/015969, filed in the name of Evonik Degussa        GmbH, or in WO 2010/028261, filed in name of Cabot Corporation.

When the binder composition in divided form that is solid under coldconditions is coated with at least one pyrogenic silica compound, thelatter can then be used alone or in the form of a mixture within acoating composition.

Whether it is employed alone or as a mixture in a coating composition,the pyrogenic silica compound can be employed in the process accordingto the invention in the form of a powder or as a dispersion in a solventwhich evaporates after application.

Preferably, when the coating composition comprises at least onepyrogenic silica compound and at least one solvent, the coatingcomposition comprises from 5% to 70% by weight of pyrogenic silicacompound relative to the total weight of the coating composition, morepreferentially from 20% to 40% by weight.

Preferably, the solvent is an organic solvent or water. The term“organic solvent” is intended to mean any solvent which is immisciblewith a bitumen, such as an alcohol, for example ethanol.

The fumed silicas used in the invention are commercially available andfor example may be sold by Evonik Degussa under the brand name Aerosil®,such as for example Aerosil®200, by Cabot Corporation under thebrand-names CAB-O-s IL® and CAB-O-SPERSE® or else by Wacker Chemie AGunder the brand name HDK®.

Preferably, the weight of the anticaking agent covering at least aportion of the surface of the binder pellets or binder blocks is between0.2% and 10% by weight, preferably between 0.5% and 8% by weight, morepreferentially between 0.5% and 5% relative to the total weight ofbinder of said pellets or said blocks.

Advantageously, the weight of the anticaking agent covering at least aportion of the surface of the binder pellets or binder blocks isapproximately 1% by weight relative to the total weight of binder ofsaid pellets or of said blocks.

The anticaking layer covering the binder pellets or binder blocks ispreferably continuous so that at least 90% of the surface of the binderpellet or binder block is covered with at least one anticaking agent,preferably at least 95%, more preferably at least 99% of the surface.

The average thickness of the anticaking layer is preferably greater thanor equal to 20 μm, more preferentially between 20 and 100 μm. Theanticaking layer must be sufficiently thick so that it is continuous.

The binder pellets or binder blocks are covered with the anticakingagent according to any known process, for example according to theprocess described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,026,568.

Olefinic Polymer Adjuvant

According to one embodiment of the invention, the supplemented bindercomposition may also comprise at least one olefinic polymer adjuvant.

The olefinic polymer adjuvant is preferably chosen from the groupconsisting of (a) ethylene/glycidyl (meth)acrylate copolymers; (b)ethylene/monomer A/monomer B terpolymers and (c) copolymers resultingfrom the grafting of a monomer B to a polymer substrate.

(a) The ethylene/glycidyl (meth)acrylate copolymers are advantageouslychosen from random or block, preferably random, copolymers of ethyleneand of a monomer chosen from glycidyl acrylate and glycidylmethacrylate, comprising from 50% to 99.7% by weight, preferably from60% to 95% by weight, more preferentially from 60% to 90% by weight, ofethylene.

(b) The terpolymers are advantageously chosen from random or block,preferably random, terpolymers of ethylene, of a monomer A and of amonomer B.

Monomer A is chosen from vinyl acetate and C₁ to C₆ alkyl acrylates ormethacrylates.

The monomer B is chosen from glycidyl acrylate and glycidylmethacrylate.

The ethylene/monomer A/monomer B terpolymers comprise from 0.5% to 40%by weight, preferably from 5% to 35% by weight and more preferentiallyfrom 10% to 30% by weight of units derived from monomer A, and from 0.5%to 15% by weight and preferably from 2.5% to 15% by weight of unitsderived from monomer B, the remainder being formed from units derivedfrom ethylene.

(c) The copolymers result from the grafting of a monomer B chosen fromglycidyl acrylate and glycidyl methacrylate onto a polymer substrate.The polymer substrate consists of a polymer chosen from polyethylenes,especially low-density polyethylenes, polypropylenes, random or block,preferably random, copolymers of ethylene and of vinyl acetate, andrandom or block, preferably random, copolymers of ethylene and of C₁ toC₆ alkyl acrylate or methacrylate, comprising from 40% to 99.7% byweight and preferably from 50% to 99% by weight of ethylene. Saidgrafted copolymers comprise from 0.5% to 15% by weight and preferablyfrom 2.5% to 15% by weight of grafted units derived from monomer B.

Advantageously, the olefinic polymer adjuvant is chosen from randomterpolymers of ethylene (b), of a monomer A chosen from C₁ to C₆ alkylacrylates or methacrylates and of a monomer B chosen from glycidylacrylate and glycidyl methacrylate, comprising from 0.5% to 40% byweight, preferably from 5% to 35% by weight, more preferably from 10% to30% by weight, of units resulting from the monomer A and from 0.5% to15% by weight, preferably from 2.5% to 15% by weight, of units resultingfrom the monomer B, the remainder being formed of units resulting fromethylene.

Binder Pellets

The term “binder pellets” can also be defined as a binder that is solidat ambient temperature, packaged in a divided form, that is to say inthe form of small units called pellets or particles.

The binder pellets are obtained by forming a binder composition asdescribed above according to any known process, for example according tothe manufacturing process described in document U.S. Pat. No. 3,026,568,document U.S. Pat. No. 4,279,579, document WO 2009/153324 or document WO2012/168380. According to one particular embodiment, the forming of thepellets can be carried out by draining, in particular using a drum.

Other techniques can be used in the process for manufacturing the binderpellets, in particular molding, extrusion or granulation.

Preferably, the binder pellets may have, within the same population ofpellets, one or more shapes chosen from a cylindrical, spherical orovoid shape. The size of the binder pellets is such that the longestmean dimension is preferably less than or equal to 50 mm, morepreferentially from 3 to 30 mm and even more preferentially from 4 to 20mm. The size and shape of the binder pellets may vary according to themanufacturing process employed. For example, the use of a die makes itpossible to control the manufacture of pellets of a chosen size.Screening makes it possible to select pellets as a function of theirsize.

Preferably, the binder pellets according to the invention have a weightof between 0.1 g and 50 g, preferably between 0.2 g and 10 g and morepreferentially between 0.2 g and 5 g.

The binder pellets are preferably transported and/or stored in bulk inbags of 0.5 g to 30 kg or 500 kg to 1000 kg commonly known as “Big Bags”in the road binder field, said bags being preferably made of a hot-meltmaterial, or in cartons of 5 kg to 30 kg or in drums of 100 kg to 200kg.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the size of the binderpellets is such that the longest average dimension is preferably lessthan 20 mm, more preferentially less than 10 mm, even morepreferentially less than 5 mm.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the binder pellets arecovered on at least a portion of their surface with an anticaking agentas described above, preferably over their entire surface.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the binder pellets arecovered on at least one portion of their surface with a coloring agentas described above, such as, for example, a pigment, preferably on allof their surface.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the anticaking agentand/or the coloring agent included in the binder forming the binderpellets may be identical to or different than the anticaking agentand/or the coloring agent covering at least a portion of the surface ofsaid binder pellets.

Binder Pellets with a Core/Shell Structure

According to one embodiment of the invention, the binder pelletscomprise a core and a coating layer wherein:

-   -   the core comprises at least one binder composition as defined        above, and    -   the coating layer comprises at least one viscosifying compound        and at least one anticaking compound as defined above.

The term “coating layer” is intended to mean that the coating layercovers at least 90% of the surface of the core, preferably at least 95%of the surface of the core and more preferentially at least 99% of thesurface of the core.

The expressions “coating composition” and “covering composition” areused interchangeably in the description.

The term “viscosifying agent” or “viscosifying compound” is intended tomean a compound which has the property of decreasing the fluidity of aliquid or a composition and thus of increasing the viscosity thereof.

For the purposes of the invention, the terms “viscosifying agent” and“viscosifying compound” are used interchangeably and independently ofone another.

For the purposes of the invention, the viscosifier is a material thathas a dynamic viscosity greater than or equal to 50 mPa·s⁻¹, preferablyfrom 50 mPa·s⁻¹ to 550 mPa·s⁻¹, more preferentially from 80 mPa·s⁻¹ to450 mPa·s⁻¹, the viscosity being a Brookfield viscosity measured at 65°C. The viscosity of a viscosifying agent according to the invention ismeasured at 65° C. by means of a Brookfield CAP 2000+ viscometer and ata rotation speed of 750 rpm. The measurement is read after 30 secondsfor each temperature.

Preferably, the viscosifying agent is chosen from:

-   -   gelling compounds preferably of plant or animal origin, such as:        gelatin, chitosan, modified chitosan, agar-agar, alginates,        cellulose derivatives, starches, modified starches, or gellan        gums;    -   polyethylene glycols (PEGs) such as PEGs having a molecular        weight of between 800 g·mol⁻¹ and 8000 g·mol⁻¹, for example a        PEG having a molecular weight of 800 g·mol⁻¹ (PEG-800), a PEG        having a molecular weight of 1000 g·mol⁻¹ (PEG-1000), a PEG        having a molecular weight of 1500 g·mol⁻¹ (PEG-1500), a PEG        having a molecular weight of 4000 g·mol⁻¹ (PEG-4000) or a PEG        having a molecular weight of 6000 g·mol⁻¹ (PEG-6000);    -   silicones;    -   mixtures of such compounds.

Advantageously, the viscosifying agent is chosen from:

-   -   gelling compounds preferably of plant or animal origin, such as        gelatin, agar agar, alginates, cellulose derivatives or gellans        gums;    -   polyethylene glycols (PEGs) such as PEGs having a molecular        weight of between 800 g·mol⁻¹ and 8000 g·mol⁻¹, for example a        PEG having a molecular weight of 800 g·mol⁻¹ (PEG-800), a PEG        having a molecular weight of 1000 g·mol⁻¹ (PEG-1000), a PEG        having a molecular weight of 1500 g·mol⁻¹ (PEG-1500), a PEG        having a molecular weight of 4000 g·mol⁻¹ (PEG-4000) or a PEG        having a molecular weight of 6000 g·mol⁻¹ (PEG-6000);    -   silicones;    -   mixtures of such compounds.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the coating layer isobtained by applying a composition comprising at least one viscosifyingcompound and at least one anticaking compound over all or part of thesurface of the core of the solid binder composition.

Preferably, the coating layer is solid at ambient temperature, includingat high ambient temperature.

Preferably, the composition comprising at least one viscosifyingcompound and at least one anticaking compound has a viscosity greaterthan or equal to 200 mPa·s⁻¹, preferably of between 200 mPa·s⁻¹ and 700mPa·s⁻¹, the viscosity being a Brookfield viscosity.

Preferentially, the coating layer comprises at least 10% by weight of atleast one viscosifying compound relative to the total weight of thecoating layer, preferably from 10% to 90% by weight, more preferentiallyfrom 10% to 85% by weight.

Advantageously, when the vicosifier is a gelling agent, such as, forexample, gelatin, the coating layer comprises from 10% to 90% by weightof viscosifying compound relative to the total weight of the coatinglayer, preferably from 15% to 85% by weight, even better still from 15%to 60%.

Advantageously, when the vicosifier is a gelling agent, such as, forexample, gelatin, the coating layer comprises from 10% to 90% by weightof anticaking compound relative to the total weight of the coatinglayer, preferably from 15% to 85%, even better still from 40% to 85%.

Advantageously, when the vicosifier is a PEG, such as for example a PEGhaving a molecular weight between 800 g·mol⁻¹ and 8000 g·mol⁻¹, thecoating layer comprises from 10% to 90% by weight of viscosifyingcompound relative to the total weight of the coating layer, preferably40% to 90%, even better still from 60% to 90%.

Advantageously, when the vicosifier is a PEG, such as for example a PEGhaving a molecular weight of between 800 g·mol⁻¹ and 8000 g·mol⁻¹, thecoating layer comprises from 10% to 90% by weight of anticaking compoundrelative to the total weight of the coating layer, preferably from 10%to 60%, even better still from 10% to 40%.

Preferentially, the coating layer comprises at least 10% by weight of ananticaking compound relative to the total weight of the coating layer,preferably from 10% to 90% by weight, even more preferentially from 15%to 90% by weight.

Preferably, the coating layer represents at least 5% by weight relativeto the total weight of the pellets, preferably from 10 to 60% by weightand more preferentially from 10 to 50%.

Advantageously, the viscosifying compound and the anticaking compoundrepresent at least 90% by weight relative to the total weight of thecoating layer, better still at least 95% by weight and advantageously atleast 98% by weight.

According to a preferred embodiment, the coating layer is essentiallyconstituted of the viscosifying compound and of the anticaking compound.

Besides the viscosifying compound and the anticaking compound, thecoating layer may optionally comprise one or more compounds chosen from:chemical additives, polymers, etc.

According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, the binderpellets have:

-   -   a core comprising at least one binder composition as defined        above, and    -   a coating layer comprising gelatin or a PEG and at least one        anticaking compound chosen from fines, generally less than 125        μm in diameter; wood residues such as lignin, conifer needle        powders and conifer cone powders; crumb rubber; SBS copolymer        powder; fumed silicas, in particular hydrophilic or hydrophobic        fumed silicas; pyrogenic silicas, in particular hydrophobic or        hydrophilic pyrogenic silicas; and mixtures thereof.

More preferably, the binder pellets have:

-   -   a core comprising at least one binder composition as defined        above, and    -   a coating layer comprising gelatin or a PEG and at least one        anticaking compound chosen from fines, generally less than 125        μm in diameter; lignin; crumb rubber; fumed silicas, in        particular hydrophilic or hydrophobic fumed silicas; pyrogenic        silicas, in particular hydrophobic or hydrophilic pyrogenic        silicas; SBS copolymer powder.

According to a more preferred embodiment, the binder pellets essentiallyconsist of:

-   -   a core consisting of a binder composition as defined above, and    -   a coating layer consisting of a mixture of gelatin or of a PEG,        with at least one anticaking compound chosen from fines,        generally less than 125 μm in diameter; lignin; crumb rubber;        SBS copolymer powder; fumed silicas, in particular hydrophilic        or hydrophobic fumed silicas; pyrogenic silicas, in particular        hydrophobic or hydrophilic pyrogenic silicas.

Preferentially, the binder pellets essentially consist of:

-   -   a core consisting of a binder composition as defined above        comprising a chemical additive (I) as defined above and a        chemical additive (II) as defined above, and    -   a coating layer consisting of a mixture of gelatin or of a PEG,        with at least one anticaking compound chosen from fines,        generally less than 125 μm in diameter; lignin; crumb rubber;        SBS copolymer powder; fumed silicas; pyrogenic silicas, in        particular hydrophobic or hydrophilic pyrogenic silicas.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the binder pelletscomprise a core and a coating layer wherein:

-   -   the core comprises at least one binder composition as defined        above, and    -   the coating layer comprises at least one oil as defined above.

Advantageously in this embodiment, the coating composition comprises atleast one organogelator compound and, where appropriate, otheradditives. The other additives can be chosen, for example, from:agglomeration-inhibiting compounds, adhesion dopants, elastomers forbitumen, etc.

More advantageously, the coating composition comprises at least oneorganogelator compound chosen from the compounds of formula (I) asdefined above, the compounds of formula (II) as defined above and thecompounds of formula (III) as defined below.

The organogelator compound of formula (III) is a compound:(R—NHCO)_(x)—Z—(NHCO—R′)_(y)  (III),

wherein:

-   -   R and R′, which may be identical or different, represent a        saturated or unsaturated and linear, branched or cyclic        hydrocarbon-based chain comprising from 1 to 22 carbon atoms        which is optionally substituted and which optionally comprises        heteroatoms, such as N, O or S, C₅-C₂₄ hydrocarbon rings and/or        C₄-C₂₄ hydrocarbon heterocycles comprising one or more        heteroatoms, such as N, O or S,    -   Z represents a trifunctionalized group chosen from the following        groups:

-   -   x and y are different integers with a value ranging from 0 to 3,        and such that x+y=³.

Preferably, when x is equal to 0 and Z represents Z₂, the compound offormula (III) is N2,N4,N6-tridecylmelamine having the following formula,with R′ representing the C₉H₁₉ group:

Other preferred compounds corresponding to the formula (III) are suchthat x is equal to 0, Z represents Z₂ and R′ represents a saturatedlinear hydrocarbon-based chain of 1 to 22 carbon atoms, preferably of 2to 18 carbon atoms, preferably of 5 to 12 carbon atoms.

Other preferred compounds corresponding to the formula (III) are suchthat: y is equal to 0 and Z represents Z₁; the compounds then have theformula:

with R chosen from the following groups, taken alone or as mixtures:

Other preferred compounds corresponding to the formula (III) are suchthat: y is equal to 0, Z represents Z₁ and R represents a saturatedlinear hydrocarbon-based chain of 1 to 22 carbon atoms, preferably of 8to 12 carbon atoms.

Preferably, the coating composition comprises at least one organogelatorcompound of formula (I), (II) or (III), chosen from:

-   -   2′,3-bis[(3-[3,5-di(tert-butyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl]propionyl)]propionohydrazide,    -   N,N′-ethylenedi(stearamide) of formula        C₁₇H₃₅—CONH—CH₂—CH₂—NHCO—C₁₇H₃₅,    -   sebacic acid,

and

-   -   mixtures of these compounds.

Advantageously, the coating composition comprises from 0.1% to 10% byweight, preferably from 0.2% to 5% by weight, more preferably from 0.5%to 3.5% by weight, of an organogelator compound, relative to the totalweight of the coating composition.

Advantageously, the coating composition comprises, or is essentiallycomposed of:

-   -   80% to 99.9% by weight of at least one oil chosen from:        hydrocarbon-based oils of petroleum or synthetic origin,        advantageously from hydrocarbon-based oils of petroleum origin,    -   0.1% to 10% by weight of at least one organogelator compound,    -   0% to 10% by weight of one or more other additives,

relative to the total weight of the composition.

Preferably, the coating composition comprises, or is essentiallycomposed of:

-   -   85% to 99.8% by weight of at least one oil chosen from:        hydrocarbon-based oils of petroleum or synthetic origin,        advantageously from hydrocarbon-based oils of petroleum origin,    -   0.2% to 5% by weight of at least one organogelator compound,    -   0% to 10% by weight of one or more other additives,

relative to the total weight of the composition.

More preferably, the coating composition comprises, or is essentiallycomposed of:

-   -   86.5% to 99.5% by weight of at least one oil chosen from:        hydrocarbon-based oils of petroleum or synthetic origin,        advantageously from hydrocarbon-based oils of petroleum origin,    -   0.5% to 3.5% by weight of at least one organogelator compound,    -   0% to 10% by weight of one or more other additives, relative to        the total weight of the composition.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the binder pellets mayalso comprise one or more other coating layers, based on anticakingagent covering all or part of the coating layer of the binder that issolid under cold conditions according to the invention.

Binder Block

According to one embodiment of the invention, the binder compositionthat is solid under cold conditions and in divided form is in blockform. For the purposes of the invention, the binder composition in blockform is also known as a “binder block”.

The term “binder block” is intended to mean a block of bindercomposition according to the invention having a weight of between 0.5 kgand 1000 kg, preferably between 1 kg and 200 kg, more preferentiallybetween 1 kg and 50 kg, even more preferentially between 5 kg and 25 kg,even more preferentially between 10 kg and 30 kg, said block beingadvantageously parallelepipedal, preferably being like a paving stone.

The binder block preferably has a volume of between 1000 cm³ and 50 000cm³, preferably between 5000 cm³ and 25 000 cm³, more preferentiallybetween 10 000 cm³ and 30 000 cm³, even more preferentially between 14000 cm³ and 25 000 cm³

When the binder block is handled manually by one person, the weight ofthe binder composition block may range from 0.5 g to 20 kg, and from 20to 50 kg when handled by two people. When the handling is performed bymechanical equipment, the weight of the binder block may range from 50to 1000 kg.

The binder block is manufactured from the supplemented bindercomposition as described above according to any industrially knownprocess, for example by extrusion, by molding, or according to themanufacturing process described in US2011/0290695.

Advantageously, the binder block is wrapped in a hot-melt film accordingto any known process, preferably with a film made of polypropylene orpolyethylene or a mixture of polyethylene and polypropylene. The bindercomposition packaged as a binder block wrapped in a hot-melt film hasthe advantage of being ready to use, i.e. it may be heated directly inthe melting machine without being unwrapped beforehand, for example forthe manufacture of emulsion, or may optionally be introduced directlyinto the coating unit for the manufacture of bituminous mixes. Thehot-melt material that melts with the supplemented binder compositiondoes not affect the properties of said binder composition.

The binder block according to the invention may also be covered withanticaking compound as defined above and/with a coloring agent asdefined above and/or with a coating composition as defined above.

In this variant, the preferences, the advantages and the variousembodiments described for the anticaking compounds, the coloring agentsand the coating compositions also apply.

The binder block may also be packaged in a cardboard container accordingto any known process.

In particular, the binder block is packaged in a cardboard container byhot-casting the binder composition according to the invention in acardboard container, the wall of the inner face of which is siliconized,and then cooled, the dimensions of the cardboard container being suitedto the weight and/or volume of the desired binder block.

When the binder block is wrapped in a hot-melt film or is packaged in acardboard container, the Applicant has demonstrated that thedeterioration of said hot-melt film or of said cardboard containerduring the transportation and/or storage and/or handling under coldconditions of said binder block did not lead to the binder compositionundergoing creep. Consequently, the binder blocks retain their initialform and do not stick together during the transportation and/or storageand/or handling thereof under cold conditions, even if the hot-melt filmor the cardboard container is damaged. The absence of creep of thebinder composition in the form of block during its transportation and/orstorage and/or handling under cold conditions is due to the presence ofthe mixture of chemical additives (I) and (II) within the bindercomposition.

Aggregates

The mastic asphalt composition is composed of a binder and of mineralfillers chosen from aggregates. The mineral fillers used according tothe invention represent for example 70% to 94.5%, 75% to 94%, 75% to94.5%, 71 to 93.5%, 85% to 94%, 86% to 93% by weight of the total weightof the mastic asphalt composition. The mineral fillers according to theinvention are chosen from fines or fillers, sands and stone chippings.The fines, the fillers, the sands and the stone chippings are aggregatespreferably corresponding to the specifications of the standard NF EN13043. An aggregate may be natural, artificial or recycled. Naturalaggregate is an aggregate of mineral origin which has undergone notransformation other than mechanical. Artificial aggregate is anaggregate of mineral origin resulting from an industrial processcomprising thermal transformations or the like. Aggregates are generallydenoted in terms of lower dimension (d) and upper dimension (D) of 25sieves, expressed in the form “d/D” corresponding to the granularcategory. This designation accepts that grains can be retained on theupper sieve (oversize on D) and that others can pass through the lowersieve (passing through d). Aggregates are grains with dimensions ofbetween 0 and 125 mm. Fines like fillers are a granular fraction of anaggregate which passes through the 0.063 mm sieve. The filler is anaggregate, most of the grains of which pass through the 0.063 mm sieve,which can be added to construction materials in order to give themcertain properties. Sands are 0/2 aggregates according to the standardNF EN 13043 for bituminous mixtures. Stone chippings are aggregates forwhich d>2 mm and D<45 mm according to the standard NF EN 13043 forbituminous mixtures and coatings.

According to the invention, the fines are of any mineral nature. Theyare preferably chosen from limestone-type fillers. The particle size ofthe fines according to the invention is preferably less than 63 μm. Thefines represent 20% to 40%, preferably 20% to 35%, by weight of thetotal weight of the mastic asphalt composition according to theinvention, in particular when they are limestone-type fillers.

According to the invention, the sands are preferably chosen fromsemi-crushed or rolled sands. The particle size of the sands accordingto the invention is preferably between 63 μm and 2 mm. The sandsadvantageously represent from 15% to 45%, preferably 20% to 40%, byweight of the total weight of the mastic asphalt composition accordingto the invention.

According to the invention, the stone chippings are chosen from stonechippings of any geological nature of density greater than 1.5.Preferably, the particle size of the stone chippings according to theinvention is between 2 mm and 14 mm. The stone chippings are preferablychosen from the particle sizes 2/6, 4/6, 6/10, and 10/14. The stonechippings advantageously represent from 20% to 55%, preferably 25% to45% by weight of the total weight of the asphalt composition accordingto the invention, in particular when they have a particle size 2/6and/or 4/6 and/or 6/10 and/or 10/14.

Mastic Asphalt Composition

The binder according to the invention advantageously represents from 5%to 20%, preferably 5% to 10%, and even better still 6% to 9%, by weightof the total weight of the mastic asphalt composition.

The aggregates or mineral fillers chosen from fines or fillers, sandsand stone chippings advantageously represent from 80% to 95%, preferably90% to 95%, and even better still 91% to 94%, by weight of the totalweight of the mastic asphalt composition.

The mastic asphalt composition according to the invention preferablycomprises, or better still essentially consists of:

-   -   from 5% to 20% of the binder composition as defined above,    -   from 15% to 40% of fines,    -   from 15% to 45% of sand,    -   from 10% to 45% of stone chippings,

the percentages being expressed by weight relative to the total weightof the mastic asphalt composition.

The mastic asphalt composition according to the invention preferablycomprises, or better still essentially consists of:

-   -   from 5% to 10% of the binder composition as defined above,    -   from 15% to 35% of fines,    -   from 20% to 45% of sand,    -   from 15% to 40% of stone chippings,

the percentages being expressed by weight relative to the total weightof the mastic asphalt composition.

The mastic asphalt composition according to the invention preferablycomprises, or better still essentially consists of:

-   -   from 6% to 9% of the binder composition as defined above,    -   from 20% to 30% of fines,    -   from 30% to 45% of sand,    -   from 15% to 30% of stone chippings,

the percentages being expressed by weight relative to the total weightof the mastic asphalt composition.

Process for Manufacturing the Mastic Asphalt Composition

Advantageously, the process for manufacturing mastic asphalts accordingto the invention comprises at least the steps of:

-   -   heating the aggregates to a temperature ranging from 100° C. to        200° C., preferably from 120° C. to 180° C., even more        advantageously from 120° C. to 160° C.,    -   mixing the aggregates with the binder composition, in a vessel        such as a mixer or a mixing drum,    -   kneading the mixture in a mixer equipped with blades,    -   obtaining a mastic asphalt composition.

The various components of the mastic asphalt composition according tothe invention, in particular the binder, and the aggregates, are mixedaccording to the proportions defined in the mastic asphalt compositionof the invention. They are then mixed and kneaded continuously in orderto form a homogeneous mixture and to maintain the homogeneity of themixture until it is applied. This mixing and this kneading are carriedout at a temperature ranging from 120° C. to 200° C. The duration of themixing is a few seconds to a few minutes, the duration of the mixing is0.5 to 4 hours, advantageously 1.5 to 2.5 hours. Once poured and cooled,the mixture hardens and constitutes an asphalt surfacing that can beused as traffic lanes. The thickness of the surfacing according to theinvention varies for example from 15 to 40 mm, and preferably from 20 to25 mm. The asphalt according to the invention is poured conventionally,that is to say independently or adhered to any support in accordancewith the rules of the art, with or without interposition of a glassmesh.

Advantageously, the process of the invention is carried out with abinder composition that is in solid form under cold conditions anddivided, for instance in the form of binder pellets or binder blocks.

According to this variant, the process of the invention exhibits theadvantage of being able to be carried out without a preliminary step ofheating the solid-binder pellets or solid-binder blocks.

The process for manufacturing mastic asphalts according to the inventiondoes not require a step of heating the solid-binder pellets orsolid-binder blocks before mixing with the aggregates because in contactwith the hot aggregates, the binder that is solid at ambient temperaturemelts.

The binder that is solid at ambient temperature as described above hasthe advantage of being able to be added directly to the hot aggregates,without having to be melted prior to mixing with the hot aggregates.

Preferably, the step of mixing of the aggregates and of the road binderis performed with stirring, and stirring is then maintained for not morethan 5 minutes, preferably not more than 1 minute to allow theproduction of a homogeneous mixture.

Surfacing

The invention also relates to a surfacing of a surface, in particulartraffic lanes, having improved mechanical properties, in particular animproved indentation resistance, this surfacing being obtained from amastic asphalt composition according to the invention.

Among the surfaces concerned, mention may be made of: carriageways,ground surfaces of carparks; pedestrian walkways, such as sidewalks orterraces; urban developments, such as skateboard runs; ground surfacesof sport equipment or of industrial sites. The mastic asphalts of theinvention may also be used in the waterproofing of buildings or of civilengineering works; for special technical applications such as masticsfor rockfills, coldroom floors, interior or exterior anti-acid asphalts.

FIG. 1: graphic representation of irreversible creep compliance dividedby the stress (along the ordinate in kPa⁻¹) of bituminous bindercompositions C9, C10, C11 and C12 after a creep-recovery cycle as afunction of the stress (along the abscissa in Pa)

Legend:

●=C9; ▪=C10; ▴=C11; X=C12

FIG. 2: graphic representation of the complex modulus G* (along theordinate in Pa) of compositions C9, C10, C11 and C12, measured at 60° C.and at a frequency of between 0.1 and 100 Hz (along the abscissa, theangular frequency expressed in rad/s)

Legend:

●=C9; ▪=C10; ▴=C11; X=C12

FIG. 3: graphic representation of the complex modulus G* (along theordinate in Pa) of compositions C9, C10, C11 and C12, measured at 15° C.and at a frequency of between 0.1 and 100 Hz (along the abscissa, theangular frequency expressed in rad/s)

Legend:

●=C9; ▪=C10; ▴=C11; X=C12

Experimental Section

Materials and methods

The properties of the bitumens are measured by means of the methodsdescribed below:

-   -   Needle penetrability at 25° C. (P25): units= 1/10 mm, standard        EN 1426    -   Ring and ball softening point (RBSP): units=° C., standard EN        1427    -   Dynamic viscosity (V Dyn): NF EN 13702, measured at temperatures        of 100° C., 110° C., 120° C., 130° C., 140° C., 160° C., 180°        C., 200° C.    -   Resistance under load according to the standard NFT66 002:        texture analyzer model TAXT2 by the company Ametek at 35° C. V=1        mm/min on 10 mm of depression

The maximum force and the force are measured at 10 mm in Newtons (N).

The resistance at the maximum force and at 10 mm in Newtons permillimeter (N/mm) is evaluated.

Complex modulus G* of the bituminous mastic composition measured at 15°C. and 60° C. and at a frequency of between 0.1 and 100 Hz: unit=MPa orPa, EN 14770 standard. The test was performed using an oscillating shearrheometer (Model: Anton Paar). The results are reported as a function ofthe angular frequency expressed in rad/s.

Multiple Stress Creep Recovery Test (MSCRT) measurement, measuredaccording to the standard NF EN 16659. The test was carried out using aDSR dynamic shear rheometer in creep mode at a temperature of 60° C. Theirreversible creep compliance was measured, that is to say the residualdeformation of a test specimen after a creep-recovery cycle divided bythe applied stress.

Starting Materials:

Bitumen base (B): Several bitumen bases, the characteristics of whichare presented below, were used:

-   -   a bitumen base of 35/50 grade, denoted B₁, having a        penetrability P₂₅ of 41 1/10 mm and an RBSP of 52° C. and        commercially available from the Total group under the brand name        Azalt®;    -   a bitumen base of 50/70 grade, denoted B₂, having a        penetrability P₂₅ of 58 1/10 mm and an RBSP of 49.6° C. and        commercially available from the Total group under the brand name        Azalt®;    -   a bitumen base of 35/50 grade, denoted B₃, having a        penetrability P₂₅ of 37 1/10 mm and an RBSP of 52° C. and        commercially available from the Total group under the brand name        Azalt®;

Additives:

-   -   Additive A1 of formula (I): sebacic acid    -   Additive A2 of formula (II): N,N′-ethylenedi(stearamide) sold by        the company Croda under the name Crodawax 140®        Compositions:

The bitumen base (B₁, B₂ or B₃) is introduced into a reactor maintainedat 160° C. with stirring at 300 rpm for two hours. The additive(s) arethen introduced into the reactor. The contents of the reactor aremaintained at 160° C. with stirring at 300 rpm for 1 hour.

Compositions C2 to C8 are prepared by bringing the bitumen base intocontact with the additives, according to tables 1 and 2 below. Theamounts are expressed as percentage by weight of additive compoundrelative to the total weight of the composition. Compositions C1 to C3and C9 to C11 are comparative, compositions C4 to C8 and C12 areaccording to the invention.

TABLE 1 content of the compositions C1 to C8 C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 C8Bitumen base B1 B1 B1 B1 B1 B1 B1 B2 A1 — 1.5% — 1.5% 1% 1.5% 0.5% 1.5%A2 — — 3.5% 3.5% 3% 2.5%   4% 2.5%

TABLE 2 content of the compositions C9 to C12 C9 C10 C11 C12 Bitumenbase B3 B3 B3 B3 A1 — 1.5% — 1.5% A2 — — 2.5% 2.5%Results:

The results of the measurements of the properties of the bitumencompositions are set out in table 3 below.

TABLE 3 Properties of compositions C1 to C8 C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 C8 P25( 1/10 mm) 39 20 28 20 19 21 23 20 RBSP (° C.) 53 104 106 108 106 105105 105.5 V Dyn 120° C. 1.85 1.67 1.34 1.23 — 1.39 1.29 — V Dyn 130° C.1.02 0.916 0.769 0.7 — 0.79 0.736 — V Dyn 140° C. 0.602 0.532 0.46 0.421— 0.475 0.445 — V Dyn 160° C. 0.251 0.212 0.198 0.183 — 0.2 0.189 — VDyn 180° C. 0.119 0.101 0.102 0.091 — 0.095 0.093 — V Dyn 200° C. 0.0630.061 0.058 0.052 — 0.058 0.050 — Force Max à 35° C. 3.2 34.3 12.4 10292 101 57.5 — Force at 10 mm at 3.2 32 12.4 100 90 101 57.5 — 35° C.Resistance at Max 9 233 66 568 475 566 388 — force at 35° C. Resistanceat 10 9 260 66 790 727 855 424 — mm at 35° C. Max Force at 50° C. — — —— — 41 — 38 Resistance at Max — — — — — 98 — 53 force at 50° C.Resistance at 10 — — — — — 337 — 302 mm at 50° C.

It is found that compositions C4, C5, C6, C7 and C8 have, at ambienttemperature, mechanical properties very significantly greater than thoseof comparative compositions C1 to C3, without their viscosity under hotconditions being degraded (increased).

TABLE 4 Properties of compositions C9 to C12 C9 C10 C11 C12 P25 ( 1/10mm) 37 26 33 20 RBSP (° C.) 52 103 93 102 V Dyn 140° C. 0.747 0.4680.428 0.349 V Dyn 160° C. 0.253 0.192 0.179 0.159 V Dyn 180° C. 0.1130.091 0.086 0.079

It is found that composition C12 according to the invention has a lowerviscosity under hot conditions than those of comparative compositions C9to C11.

Complex Modulus G*

It was demonstrated that composition C12 according to the invention hasa complex modulus G* greater than the complex modulus of comparativecompositions C9 to C11, whatever the frequency at which the complexmodulus G* is measured over the operating temperature range of between15 and 60° C.

The complex modulus G* in particular reflects the mechanical strength ofthe compositions; it is therefore demonstrated that composition C12according to the invention has a better mechanical strength compared tothe comparative compositions.

Multiple Stress Creep Recovery Test (MSCRT) Measurement

It was demonstrated that composition C12 according to the inventionexhibits an irreversible creep compliance (Jnr) lower than theirreversible creep compliance of comparative compositions C9 to C11,whatever the cumulative shear stress at which the irreversible creepcompliance is measured, at an operating temperature of 60° C.

The irreversible creep compliance reflects in particular the resistanceof the composition to permanent deformation; it is thereforedemonstrated that composition C12 according to the invention has abetter resistance to permanent deformation compared to comparativecompositions C9 to C11.

As a result, the compositions according to the invention have mechanicalproperties that are superior to those of the comparative compositionswithout their viscosity under hot conditions being degraded (increased).

Consequently, the binders according to the invention are entirelysuitable for uses thereof as binders for the manufacture of masticasphalts by virtue of a viscosity that is at least preserved attemperatures of between 160° C. and 200° C. and also greater mechanicalproperties compared with the comparative binder compositions.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A mastic asphalt composition comprising:(i) 5% to 20% by weight of a composition comprising at least: a binderbase chosen from: a bitumen base, a pitch base, a clear binder, or amixture of one or more of these binder bases, an acid compound ofgeneral formula (I):R—(COOH)_(z)  (I) wherein R represents a linear or branched, saturatedor unsaturated chain comprising from 4 to 68 carbon atoms and z is aninteger ranging from 2 to 4, an amide compound of general formula (II):R′—(NH)_(n)CONH—(X)_(m)—(NHCO)p(NH)_(n)—R″  (II) wherein: the R′ and R″groups, which may be identical or different, represent a saturated orunsaturated and linear, branched or cyclic hydrocarbon-based chaincomprising from 1 to 22 carbon atoms which optionally comprisesheteroatoms, C₅-C₂₄ hydrocarbon-based rings and/or C₄-C₂₄hydrocarbon-based heterocycles comprising one or more heteroatoms, andR″ may be H; the X group represents a saturated or unsaturated andlinear, cyclic or branched hydrocarbon-based chain comprising from 1 to22 carbon atoms which is optionally substituted and which optionallycomprises heteroatoms, C₅-C₂₄ hydrocarbon-based rings and/or C₄-C₂₄hydrocarbon-based heterocycles comprising one or more heteroatoms; n andm and p are integers having a value of 0 or 1, independently of oneanother, and the compounds (I) and (II) are present in a weight ratioranging from 10:1 to 1:16, and (ii) 15% to 40% of fines, (iii) from 15%to 45% of sand, (iv) from 10% to 45% of stone chippings, wherein fines,sand and stone chippings are named aggregates, the percentages beingexpressed by weight relative to the total weight of the composition. 2.The mastic asphalt composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein thecompounds (I) and (II) are present in a weight ratio ranging from 5:1 to1:9.
 3. The mastic asphalt composition as claimed in claim 1, whereinthe additive (I) is a diacid of general formula HOOC—C_(w)H_(2w)—COOH,wherein w is an integer varying from 4 to
 22. 4. The mastic asphaltcomposition as claimed in claim 3, wherein the additive (I) is sebacicacid.
 5. The mastic asphalt composition as claimed in claim 1, whichcomprises from 0.1% to 5% by weight of the additive (I) relative to thetotal weight of the binder composition.
 6. The mastic asphaltcomposition as claimed in claim 1, which comprises from 0.1% to 5% byweight of the additive (II) relative to the total weight of the bindercomposition.
 7. The mastic asphalt composition as claimed in claim 1,wherein the additive (II) is chosen from those of formula (IIA):R′—CONH—(X)_(m)—NHCO—R″  (IIA) wherein: the R′ and R″ groups, which maybe identical or different, represent a saturated or unsaturated andlinear, branched or cyclic hydrocarbon-based chain comprising from 1 to22 carbon atoms which optionally comprises heteroatoms, C₅-C₂₄hydrocarbon-based rings and/or C₄-C₂₄ hydrocarbon-based heterocyclescomprising one or more heteroatoms; the X group represents a saturatedor unsaturated and linear, cyclic or branched hydrocarbon-based chaincomprising from 1 to 22 carbon atoms which is optionally substituted andwhich optionally comprises heteroatoms, C₅-C₂₄ hydrocarbon-based ringsand/or C₄-C₂₄ hydrocarbon-based heterocycles comprising one or moreheteroatoms; m is an integer having a value of 0 or
 1. 8. The masticasphalt composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the additive (II) ischosen from those of formula (IIB):R′—CONH—R″  (IIB) wherein: the R′ and R″ groups, which may be identicalor different, represent a saturated or unsaturated and linear, branchedor cyclic hydrocarbon-based chain comprising from 1 to 22 carbon atomswhich optionally comprises heteroatoms, C₅-C₂₄ hydrocarbon-based ringsand/or C₄-C₂₄ hydrocarbon-based heterocycles comprising one or moreheteroatoms.
 9. The mastic asphalt composition as claimed in claim 1,wherein the compound of general formula (II) is chosen from: hydrazides;diamides; monoamides.
 10. The mastic asphalt composition as claimed inclaim 9, wherein the compound of general formula (II) is chosen fromhydrazides selected from the group consisting of: C₅H₁₁—CONH—NHCO—O₅H₁₁,C₉H₁₉—CONH—NHCO—C₉H₁₉, C₁₁H₂₃—CONH—NHCO—C₁₁H₂₃, C₁₇H₃₅—CONH—NHCO—C₁₇H₃₅,or C₂₁H₄₃—CONH—NHCO—C₂₁H₄₃.
 11. The mastic asphalt composition asclaimed in claim 9, wherein the compound of general formula (II) ischosen from diamides selected from the group consisting of:N,N′-ethylenedi(laurylamide) of formula C₁₁H₂₃—CONH—CH₂—CH₂—NHCO—C₁₁H₂₃,N,N′-ethylenedi(myristylamide) of formulaC₁₃H₂₇—CONH—CH₂—CH₂—NHCO—C₁₃H₂₇, N,N′-ethylenedi(palmitamide) of formulaC₁₅H₃₁—CONH—CH₂—CH₂—NHCO—C₁₅H₃₁, N,N′-ethylenedi(stearamide) of formulaC₁₇H₃₅—CONH—CH₂—CH₂—NHCO—C₁₇H₃₅.
 12. The mastic asphalt composition asclaimed in claim 11, wherein the compound of general formula (II) isN,N′-ethylenedi(stearamide) of formula C₁₇H₃₅—CONH—CH₂—CH₂—NHCO—C₁₇H₃₅.13. The mastic asphalt composition as claimed in claim 9, wherein thecompound of general formula (II) is chosen from monoamides selected fromthe group consisting of: laurylamide of formula C₁₁H₂₃—CONH₂,myristylamide of formula C₁₃H₂₇—CONH₂, palmitamide of formulaC₁₅H₃₁—CONH₂, stearamide of formula C₁₇H₃₅—CONH₂.
 14. The mastic asphaltcomposition as claimed in claim 1, which comprises: from 6% to 9% of thecomposition (i), from 20% to 30% of fines, from 30% to 45% of sand, from15% to 30% of stone chippings, the percentages being expressed by weightrelative to the total weight of the mastic asphalt composition.
 15. Aprocess for manufacturing a mastic asphalt composition as claimed inclaim 1, which comprises the use of a binder composition comprising atleast: a binder base chosen from: a bitumen base, a pitch base, a clearbinder, or a mixture of one or more of these binder bases, an acidcompound of general formula (I):R—(COOH)_(z)  (I) wherein R represents a linear or branched, saturatedor unsaturated chain comprising from 4 to 68 carbon atoms and z is aninteger ranging from 2 to 4, an amide compound of general formula (II):R′—(NH)_(n)CONH—(X)_(m)—(NHCO)p(NH)_(n)—R″  (II) wherein: the R′ and R″groups, which may be identical or different, represent a saturated orunsaturated and linear, branched or cyclic hydrocarbon-based chaincomprising from 1 to 22 carbon atoms which optionally comprisesheteroatoms, C₅-C₂₄ hydrocarbon-based rings and/or C₄-C₂₄hydrocarbon-based heterocycles comprising one or more heteroatoms, andR″ may be H; the X group represents a saturated or unsaturated andlinear, cyclic or branched hydrocarbon-based chain comprising from 1 to22 carbon atoms which is optionally substituted and which optionallycomprises heteroatoms, C₅-C₂₄ hydrocarbon-based rings and/or C₄—C₂₄hydrocarbon-based heterocycles comprising one or more heteroatoms; n andm and p are integers having a value of 0 or 1, independently of oneanother, and the compounds (I) and (II) are present in a weight ratioranging from 10:1 to 1:16.
 16. A process for manufacturing a masticasphalt composition as claimed in claim 15, which comprises at least thesteps of: heating the aggregates to a temperature ranging from 100° C.to 180° C., mixing the aggregates with the binder composition, kneadingthe mixture, obtaining a mastic asphalt composition.
 17. The process asclaimed in claim 16, which comprises heating the aggregates to atemperature ranging from 120° C. to 160° C.
 18. The process as claimedin claim 15, wherein the binder composition is used in a form that issolid under cold conditions and divided.
 19. The process as claimed inclaim 16, which does not comprise a step of heating the bindercomposition before it is mixed with the aggregates.
 20. A surfacing of asurface, this surfacing being obtained by means of a process comprisingthe preparation of a mastic asphalt composition as claimed in claim 1,the application thereof and the spreading thereof on said surface.